CATHOLIC FEDERATION

New Zealand Tablet, 29 July 1915, Page 17

CATHOLIC FEDERATION

WELLINGTON DIOCESAN COUNCIL. The annual meeting of the Wellington Diocesan Council of the New Zealand Catholic Federation was held at St. Patrick's Hall, Boulcott street, on July 15. His Grace Archbishop Redwood presided over the preliminary stages of "the meeting, and delegates from the several parish committees were as follows:—Dannevirke, Rev. Father Bowe, Mr. D. J. O'Sullivan, Mr. A. Parker; Feilding, Rev. Father O'Dwyer, Mr. P. Kavanagh,'Mr. McMenamin ; Upper Hutt, Rev. Father Daly; Hastings, Rev. Father McDonnell, Mrs. M. C. Goulter, Mr. J. A. Gallagher; Masterton, Mr. B. Chapman; New Plymouth, Mr. W. T. Jennings, M.P. ; ' Napier, Rev. Father O'Sullivan, Mr. McNamara ; Levin, Mr. J. Duggan, Mr. R. Sievcrs; Petone, Mr. P. E. Cairns; Pahiatua, Rev. T. McKenna, Mr. J. P. Beech, Mr. E. Sullivan; Palmerston, Mr. Graham; Taihape, Mr. R. C. Ongley, Mr. F. McLaughlin; Wanganui, Rev. Father Mahoney, Mr. O'Meara; St. Anne's, Mr. J. Fagan, Mr. Bradley; St. Gerard's, Mr. W. F. Johnson; St. Mary's, Rev. Father Venning, Major T. P. Ilalpin, Mr. IT. McKeown; St. Joseph's, Rev. Father Barra, Mr. 11. A. Parsonage, Mr. A. Cassie; Thomdon, Very Rev. Dean Regnault, Mr. M. Walsh, Mr. R. P. Smyth; Waipawa, Rev. Father Bergin, Mr. E. IT. Lee, Mr: T. Butler; Wairoa, Rev. Father Le Pretre; Eketahuna, Mr. P. Dougherty; Hamua, Mr. F. Dennehy. . The following members of the Dominion Executive were also present:—Rev. Father Hurley, Mr. J. J. L. Burke (chairman), Mr. P. D. Hoskins (assistant secretary), Mr. L. T. Reichel. Apologies were received from the Very Rev. Dean / Power, "Very Rev. Father Roche, Mr. J. Corry, and Mr. O. P. Lynch. His Grace Archbishop Redwood welcomed the delegates to the council meeting, and expressed ' his ; sincere regret that many claims upon- 'his time prevented him from being present with the council during the day. . He gave a most interesting account of his experiences in France and Belgium during his recent tour, and thanked the

council for its s. congratulations upon his safe return. He stated that he had been laid aside by illness in Spain, and after his" recovery he had visited most of the cities of old Spain. : Italy was next visited, and his Grace spent a considerable time in Rome. Owing to the conditions consequent upon the war, his Grace went direct from- Genoa to New York, and thence home to New Zealand. He was pleased to hear * that the Federation had made such progress during his absence, and especially, congratulated the Federation upon the defeat of the Bible-in-Schools Referendum Bill. His Grace made feeling reference to the serious illness of Bishop' Cleary, and asked the members of the council to remember the Bishop in their prayers, and concluded by inviting nominations for the office of chairman for the day, pending the election of officers. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Ellis, that the Rev. Father Hurley be elected chairman. Mr. W. T. Jennings moved—' That this council desires to place on record its sincere congratulations to his Grace Archbishop Redwood upon his safe return to the Dominion in good health, and begs to thank his Grace for his address.' The motion was carried by acclamation. His Grace briefly thanked the council, and hoped the result of its deliberations would be beneficial to the Federation and to the Church. The report and a summary of the balance sheet, which appeared in our issue of July 15, were then considered. Speaking to the treasurer's report, Mr. Ellis (diocesan treasurer) pointed out that very few of the statements submitted by parish committees had been audited, and directed attention to the resolution passed by the Dominion Council in August last with reference to this matter. He also pointed out the necessity for each parish to open a trust account. The secretary stated that the financial position of council was better than was the case last year, taking into account the amounts received since the date of the half-yearly balance. The report of the Catholic Immigration Committee was read and endorsed, and a grant of «£5 5s made to its funds, and it was resolved that the best thanks of the council be tendered to the C.I.C. for its work during the past term. The secretary reported that, in accordance with instructions received at the last meeting of the council, he had conveyed the resolution of appreciation of Bishop Cleary's services to his Lordship, and that the message had been acknowledged by his Lordship in gracious terms. It was resolved that the letter and reply of his Lordship's be recorded in the minutes. The Rev. Father Daly (chaplain at Trentham Camp) submitted a statement showing the cost of the building and furniture to be £294, and stated that until the recent exodus from the camp, the institute had been availed of to the fullest extent. The average number of letters posted nightly was 350, and the Catholic soldiers were very grateful to the Federation for the facilities afforded them. The delegates reported on the position of their respective branches, and the reports were generally of a satisfactory nature. cases where there had been a decrease of membership, reasons were given for the fact, and assurances that everything possible would be done to improve matters. Many of the country branches had improved considerably, and the outlook for the ensuing year was most encouraging. Resolutions From Executive" Committee. The following resolutions submitted by • the Executive Committee were unanimously agreed to: Proportional Representation. ' That this council is of opinion that the time has arrived when the Federation should officially endorse the principal of Proportional Representation, in order that Catholic interests may receive adequate representation in the Parliament of this Dominion.' - In support of this resolution, the Rev. Father Hurley read a most instructive and interesting paper : he had prepared on the subject, and it was resolved

that a summary of the paper, be printed as an appendix to the report. ."'■'. t , s f t Capitation Grant to Primary Schools. | ' That in order to afford some relief from the double burden of taxation, which Catholics are called upon to hear for the education of their children, the Dominion Council be requested; to bring under the notfce of the Government the urgent need of a capitation grant to the Catholic primary schools of New Zealand, providedthat the standard of education is equal to that of \ the public schools.' Free Places in Secondary and Technical Schools, y ' That this council re-affirms the resolution arrived at on July 21, 1914, with reference to the holders of free places at, secondary and technical schools, and requests the Dominion Council to bring the matter once more under the notice of the Minister for Education.' 4 Thanks to N.Z. Tablet. That tin's council desires to place on record its high appreciation of the manner in which the- N.Z. Tablet has at all times advocated Catholic interests in reference to public affairs, and its sincere thanks for the support accorded by that journal to the Catholic Federation.' Remits From Parish Committees. •': Wanganui. . . . . .-•••. ' That all children under the age of twelve years be admitted to membership free.' Rev. Father Mahoney in moving this resolution, - said that the membership fee for children was simply an additional tax on parents Rev. Father - Barra seconded, for similar reasons. After some debating, the question was put and. declared lost. A divisionresulted—For the motion, 13; against, 24. St. Joseph's, Wellington. ' That the censorship of cinematograph films shown at the picture theatres*of this Dominion is unsatisfactory as regards films shown to children under sixteen years of age, and steps should be taken to grapple with what is considered a very serious growing evil. Certain films should be restricted from being shown at day sessions, and children under sixteen years of age not admitted to evening sessions.' Resolution agreed to, and question referred to executive. St. Mary's, Wellington. ' That the Diocesan Council take immediate steps to establish a Catholic women's hostel.' Referred to executive for consideration. \* That it is desirable that a representative of the Federation be present at all sittings of the Juvenile Court, in the interests of Catholic children.' Considerable debate ensued on this question, and eventually it was referred to the executive, on the motion of Mr. McKeown. Feilding Committee. 'That provision be made for an appropriate life member's certificate, which should be of a different form from ordinary member's certificate.' Carried unanimously, and question referred to Dominion Council. ' That the half-yearly meetings of the Diocesan Council be movable, and that the next meeting be held at Palmerston North.' Carried unanimously, Mr. Graham stating that the Palmerston committee would be pleased to assist* in ' every way. . ..-, Napier Committee. < ' That delegates' expenses incurred in attending the annual meeting be paid out of the Diocesan Council funds.' , ' " It was pointed out that the Executive Committee had already reported that the funds were" insufficient for the purpose, and after some discussion, the question was referred back to the executive. ,-"] v ' That the Federation protest to the Government against the use "of anti-Catholic writings s in -.public schools;' „ ;'. ; '..... .....^":;-;•-//:■; ::

<••«■" -i It was reported that the v book Westward Ho had been used as a text-book at a girls' high school. After some debate, the question was put and declared carried, and it was further resolved That the foregoing resolution be sent to the Dominion Council for consideration ._. . r .? Delegates' Expenses.- ■ ■ • ■■■"' Mr. R. P. Smyth moved—' That this council is desirous of establishing a fund for the payment of expenses of delegates to Diocesan Council meetings, and invites parish committees of the archdiocese to contribute to this fund as often as circumstances permit.' Mr. Walsh seconded. Mr. Ellis (diocesan secretary) supported the motion, and stated that although the funds of the council were' at present weak on account of the extraordinary expenditure during the past year, he had no doubt the executive would make a grant to such a fund. Resolution carried and referred to executive. ' Catholic Roll of Honor. Mr. Cassie suggested that a roll should be compiled in every parish, and sent to the diocesan secretary, of those who had joined the Expeditionary Forces, and of the killed and wounded, and moved that this be referred to executive. Seconded by Mr. Walsh, and agreed to. Catholics on School Committees. ■ Mr. Walsh raised the question of electing Catholics to school committees, urging that as the school committees, elected, the Education Boards, it was necessary to take an . interest in this .matter, as cases had occurred where boards had discriminated against Catholic teachers. Several members spoke to this matter, and instances were.given where Catholic members of a school committee had objected, to certain lectures, being delivered to senior scholars, and in consequence had been defeated at the ensuing election through the apathy of the Catholic householder. It was suggested to issue a circular, and this was also referred to the executive. The election of officers for the year 1915-16 resulted as follows:—President, his Grace Archbishop Redwood vice-presidents, Rev. Father Hurley, Mr. J. Duggan ; treasurer, Mr. B. Ellis (re-elected), secretary, Mr W. F. Johnson (re-elected) ; executive committee Messrs. Corry, R. Sievers, Major Halpin, M. Walsh, and A. Cassie; delegates to Dominion Council—Very Rev. Dean Power, Mr. J. Duggan, Mr. W. F. Johnson. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr. McKeown—- ' That a sincere vote of thanks be tendered Mrs. M. C. Goulter (delegate from Hastings) for her attendance, and for the interest taken by that lady in the day's proceedings.' This motion was carried with acclamation. Mrs. Goulter thanked the council for its goodwill, and stated that she was pleased to see such interest taken in Federation business. A vote of thanks to the secretary for his services during the past term, and to the Rev. Father Hurley for presiding, concluded the business.