CATHOLICS AND THE WAR

New Zealand Tablet, 16 August 1917, Page 23

CATHOLICS AND THE WAR

REMARKS RESENTED. A meeting of the Marist Brothers' Old Boys' Association, Wellington, held for the purpose of arranging the celebration of the centenary of the Marist Brothers' Order, passed a motion emphatically protesting against the statement made in the House of Representatives recently by Mr. Nosworthy, M.P. for Ashburton, regarding- the enlistment of Catholics, and particularly regarding the exemption of Marist Brothers. In support of the motion, the following position was outlined : 1. Our school Roll of Honor in Wellington contains upwards of 400 names, among which are those of the late Captain A. Shout, V.C., M.C., D.C.M. who was awarded the Victoria Cross as well as the Military Cross and Distinguished Conduct Medal for conspicuous bravery; of the late Chaplain-Major McMenamin, recommended for the Victoria Cross ; Lieutenant William llealy, M.C., and of many other winners of distinction. 2. That the first New Zealand Expeditionary Force consisting of 1400 men, hurriedly despatched, contained no fewer than 500 Catholics. 3. That in March of this year, from a basis of calculation followed by the Defence authorities of providing a Catholic chaplain for every 1000 men, we had then in the ranks 14,000 men—a number well ahead of our due proportion—and as the compulsory system had not then been long in force, it can be seen that Catholics have joined in such creditable numbers under the voluntary system. 4. That Catholic clubs and associations have responded in a manner worthy of admiration. To quote examples : The Marist Brothers' Old Boys' Association of Christchurch, out of 280 members, had sent 220 members to the ranks under the voluntary system ; the kindred association of Auckland had now sent 170 out of 180 members ; and the Hamilton Catholic Club had sent 82 out of its 100 members. These figures are typical of the uniformly remarkable response of the Catholics of the Dominion. 5. That as Catholics have for 35 years contributed hundreds of thousands of pounds annually towards the secular system of education of New Zealand which they cannot conscientiously accept, in addition to maintaining their own schools, it would be against the public interest and a matter of undue hardship to conscript the 33 religious Brothers, who are absolutely essential for the proper teaching of the 2000 boys in their schools.