A NEW ZEALAND CATHOLIC BENEFIT SOCIETY.

New Zealand Tablet, 8 May 1913, Page 47

A NEW ZEALAND CATHOLIC BENEFIT SOCIETY.

TO THE EDITOR. ' Sir,—-For some years past there has been an idea in my mind which I was anxious to unfold, but the opportunity for so doing did not present itself. The calling, however, into being of the N.Z. Catholic Federation'seems to me the psychological moment for me to disclose my idea. Let me first state that being a native of New Zealand, I dearly love my own countryto me it is always first. With the greatest of pleasure I behold our budding nation unfolding its ideals to the rest of the world—ideals begotten of the country. Fired by her youth, at times I see her making the mistake of trying to do too much in too short a time; but then, when others might weep at disappointment, I see her sons and daughters sit down and laugh, for they recall the fulness of life that' is theirs. Being a priest, and knowing that the highest ideals of nationhood are accomplished when these ideals are truly Christian and Catholic, I long to see true Christian principles take

root in the nationhood of this young country, and whilst guiding it over difficult . paths allow •it to develop its own genus, its own national ideals. _ This brings me to the first question I-wish to put before your readers forsooth: Is not the time ripe to establish V. New Zealand Catholic Benefit Society ’ ? We are hard at.work just now laying the foundations of a New Zealand Catholic Federation. Is not this also the psychological moment to establish a New Zealand Catholic Benefit Society ? society that will put New Zealand first, and that will be impregnated with our own national ideals. The second question is ‘Would it not be becoming to call its members “ The Knights of Blessed Peter!’ ?' for Blessed Peter Chanel was our first and, as far as I know, our only martyr. The third question is ‘ Would it not be wise to adopt the military nomenclature and insignia ? The latter to be adapted to suit New Zealand circumstances. Here I must for the. present leave the matter, trusting that others will express their views on this very important question.— am, etc., x Joseph Croke Darby, Dean of Waikato.

St, Mary’s Presbytery, Hamilton, Waikato, April 25. [We comment briefly on this suggestion in our Current Topics column. Ed. N.Z.T.~\ '