VICTORIA.

New Zealand Tablet, 20 February 1919, Page 30

VICTORIA.

To combat the influenza menace the regulations issued by the State Cabinet required that masks be worn at the churches on Sunday, February 2. Scots Church, Collins Street, got over the difficulty by put-' ting up the shutters, others by holding services in the' open air. The sharp line of demarcation between the Catholic and non-Catholic churches was recognised by the Cabinet. Ministers admitted that the Catholic section of the people regarded it as an obligation to go to church (Mass) on Sundays, and met them sympathetically. The Very Rev. the Administrator of St. Patrick's Cathedral, the Rev. Father John Barry, in the absence of his Grace the Archbishop on vacation, issued the following note: "In order to co-operate with the. Public Health authority in preventing the spread of influenza, Catholics, when attending Mass on Sunday next, are requested to wear masks, as ordered by the State Cabinet."

A visit to various parishes throughout Victoria is to be made by Rev. Fathers P. Parker, P.P., and T. Power, whose mission is to raise an endowment fund of .£40,000 this year in connection with Newman College. They have already met with a liberal response. His Grace, Archbishop Mannix, who spent the vacation at Koroit, with the Bishop of Ballarat (Dr. Foley), has returned to Melbourne. At the opening of the Convent of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan on a recent Sunday at Gorooke (Colac parish), the whole countryside turned out in honor of the great Churchman, democrat, and Irish-Aus-tralian, the Most Rev. Dr. Mannix, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Province of Melbourne (says an exchange). His Lordship the Bishop of Ballarat (the Right Rev. Dr. Foley) was also present. Replying to an address of welcome, Dr. Mannix said that every Australian should put Australia first. (Applause.) He was an Irishman first, but he was an Australian by adoption, and put Australia as close as possible to Ireland. (Applause.) Those who had read the papers would have seen that Mr. Hughes had become a complete convert to the theory of putting Australia first. (Laughter and applause.) Mr. Hughes, v speaking in England,' had said: “We have a right to govern ourselves in our own way. I have been much criticised by my friends in Australia because I put Australia first. When I return to Australia I shall not be slow to tell those who, behind my back, attacked this doctrine, that they are grievously injuring Australia.” His Grace said he hoped that Mr. Hughes would talk to those critics, and after he had done so he would apologise to him (his Grace). (Loud laughter and applause.) It will be remembered that Mr. Hughes more than once attacked his Grace for advocating the policy of putting Australia first. This shows the inconsistency of the gentleman who represents only the so-called “National” party (sic) in Australia, who says one thing one day and eats his words the next. President Wilson asked this pertinent question of Mr. Hughes: “Do you represent all the people of Australia?” The Melbourne Aye, referring to the reported early departure of his Grace Archbishop Mannix, on a visit to Rome, says: “The Archbishop will return to Melbourne early in May, and will, at the invitation of Bishop Shiel, visit Rockhampton for the purpose of taking part in a function at that place. Dr. Mannix has entered into engagements lasting well into May next, and there is no prospect of his paying a visit to Rome this year, though it is possible he may do so next yea?.” . ' ... v ‘