A NEW ZEALAND CATHOLIC BENEFIT SOCIETY.

New Zealand Tablet, 15 May 1913, Page 36

A NEW ZEALAND CATHOLIC BENEFIT SOCIETY.

To the Editor.

Sir, —Though the letter on the above subject, which appeared in your last issue from the pen of the Very Rev. Dean Darby was admirably dealt with in your editorial column, I nevertheless, with your kind permission, desire to make a few remarks which I hope will be duly considered by the Very Rev. Dean. In the; first place I am sure all Catholics will heartily endorse the sentiments expressed in the first two paragraphs of the letter under notice, but the third paragraph introduces a proposal upon which we will certainly not be so unanimous. Of course Dean Darby is aware of the existence of a ‘ Catholic Benefit Society’ in New Zealand—viz., the H.A.C.B. Society; what then is implied in his question ‘ Is not the time ripe to establish a New Zealand Catholic Benefit Society?’ Either (1) that this Society is not truly Catholic, or (2) that on account of the word ‘ Hibernian ’ occupying first position the Society does not appeal to New Zealand born Catholics. With reference to the Catholicity of the Society I cannot believe that this is the ground of objection, as your columns have on many occasions borne testimony ;of good work done in New /Zealand by the Society in Catholic matters, whilst the great progress made by the Society in recent years is almost wholly due to the efforts of our missionary and parish priests in all parts of New Zealand. If further proof of the

Catholicity of the-Society is required it is only necessary to refer to the fact that should a-member cease to be a practical : Catholic he cannot remain a member of the Society. ■ . ;.',-'■ >••'.";"-••• . : ■' " ••'-.;. ; lam inclined to the opinion that the word 'Hibernian '- is the/cause of -the; objection many /of : our Catholics . have to,; joining our ranks. &[ This opinion was strengthened some time back; on reading in the Tablet a suggestion - from a" Catholic club man that the H.A C.B. Society should "' change ; its : name to the Catholic Benefit Society.' Speaking as a colonial, I must say it passes my'- comprehension why young New Zealanders should .object to join the Society simply because it clings to the .name Hibernian as well as Australasian and Catholic. ' Whilst members / are enjoined at their initiation to ever fondly cherish the memory of Ireland, no attempt is made to obtrude the nationality of the founders of the Society on them, candidates of. all nationalities being made equally welcome. ';.- -■. - \ .. v ///:-V - '/■ " ','-.. ;•"'=. - -;. Surely nothing more noble or inspiring: could be placed before members than the traditions of Ireland and- the heroic sacrifices made for our holy religion by the forefathers; of the majority of 1 Catholics in these Southern lands. There is no intention surely on the part of those suggesting a New -Zealand Catholic Benefit Society that membership should be confined to New Zealanders. There are. many opportunities afforded Catholics of developing a national spirit, and I fail to see the necessity of a purely Catholic national organisation. ;'■-". " ''■' /i '■.;• • _-\~->:~>_ :,--.\, Then what will be ■ gained by running the risk of weakening the Catholic Benefit Society already in existence? In my -humble: opinion it is-not' a ' Society that will put New-Zealand first that is required but a Society which places Catholicity before all else, and I respectfully submit that the H.A.C.B. S. answers this requirement. •"-'.- '. . " ~- "■■ It is therefore sincerely to be hoped for that the sound advice you. offer in your editorial note will be followed, viz., that Catholics will throw/every atom of energy into bringing the two "organisations—the H.A.C.B. Society and the N.Z. Catholic Federation —to the highest possible degree of strength.-' If this advice is acted upon and our clergy give their active assistance—without which no Catholic society will ever become great—l feel sure your anticipation that a great and important future is before these two organisations will soon be fully realised.- r - >-•- •- 1 , Let the answer to the question of the Very Rev. Dean therefore be ' Not yet.' From my twenty years' experience of enlisting the sympathy of Catholics in various Catholic organisations I have :no hesitation in saying we cannot at present 1 make a success of a second Catholic Benefit Society in New Zealand. / - : :-: In conclusion I 4 would like to assure the Very Rev. Dean Darby that his object can be attained by the establishment of a branch of the H.A. Society in every parish, and the placing in office young: New Zealanders .who will manage the affairs of the branch in an up-to-date and business-like manner. This is evidenced by the great progress made by the Society in Wellington, where the. whole of the thirty-six officers are— believe without exception—young New Zealanders. - ; •--;-.-- --;• - ";■-••.; -' ; -/■."/- Thanking you for your valuable space, I am, etc., J. W. Callaghan. r Wellington, May 10, 1913.