Commonwealth Notes

New Zealand Tablet, 10 November 1921, Page 30

Commonwealth Notes

NEW SOUTH WALES. The celebrations in connection with the golden jubilee of the H.A.C.B. Society were commenced on Sunday morning with solemn and impressive ceremonies (says the Catholic Press for October 20). His'Excellency the Apostolic Delegate celebrated Mass at 8 o'clock in St. Mary's Cathedral, at which the members of the society approached the altar rails to receive Holy Communion. The scene within the Cathedral was a most inspiring one. The huge edifice was filled by the devout Hibernians, who presented a picturesque sight in their regalia. Members received the Sacrament from the hands of his Excellency the Apostolic Delegate himself, and St. Mary's Cathedral Choir, with Mr. H. B. Dawkins presiding at the organ, rendered impressive music. Immediately after Mass the Hibernians formed up in "processional order outside the Cathedral, and marched to the Town Hall, where the Communion breakfast was held. It was a magnificent demonstration of Catholic faith and fervor, and the route of the procession was lined with wondering and admiring crowds. The procession was headed by the members of the National Directory and District Board of the society. The Town Hall was beautifully decorated, Sinn Fein flags, the Australian flag, and flags of the Allied nations forming a conspicuous and pleasing feature of the decorations. During the breakfast a programme of Irish music was rendered, and at the commencement and conclusion of the function the orchestra played "God Save Ireland," in the singing of which the entire assemblage joined. The district president, in opening the proceedings, expressed their deep sense of gratitude to his Excellency the Apostolic Delegate, their beloved Archbishop, the Archbishop of Wellington, and the Archbishop of Melbourne, as well as the delegates from tho other States and clergy, who had honored the function with their presence, on the occasion of the inauguration of the society's jubilee. His Excellency the Apostolic Delegate, who was enthusiastically received, said that it was always a great satisfaction to him to have the opportunity of expressing his deep gratification at such a gathering, and especially on that occasion, when the Hibernian -Society was celebrating the golden jubilee of its foundation in Australia. (Applause.) They would be glad to hear the words of the Supreme Pontiff, as he had just received a cable from tho Secretary of State, in the following congratulatory words: "On the occasion of the 50 years of the foundation of the Hibernian-Australasian Catholic Benefit Society, the august Pontiff, from the fulness of his heart, imparts his blessing to all of the members, and prays that the society would continue worthy of religion and society." Continuing, his Excellency said that the words of his Holiness could not-be more appropriate. His Grace Dr. Mannix had said at a Communion breakfast in Melbourne that there was nothing in Australia ho could be more proud of than such gatherings. He subscribed to those sentiments from his heart. In the

same way, the Hibernian Society in this State had inaugurated their jubilee celebrations in a most worthy way by going to Holy Communion in a body. Every time they knelt, the members renewed their vows of faith and religion, to lead a true Christian life, to do their duty to God, Iheir family, themselves, and society. That meant a great deal for the future of Australia, and in consequence the Hibernian jubilee was something Australia should be very proud of. (Applause.) At this stage, the district president presented his Grace the Archbishop of Sydney with a cheque for £IOOO, being portion of the proceeds of the Hibernian art union, to be distributed among the orphanages of the archdiocese. Bro. Walsh said that each year the society organised an art union for the benefit of the orphanages. This year, probably on account of it being the jubilee year, the art union had been the most successful of any yet held. (Applause.) He asked his Grace to accept the cheque with the assurance that the members would heartily co-opefate in all his great and splendid works. (Applause.) His Grace Archbishop Kelly was given an enthusiastic reception. His Grace said that he did not feel competent to fully express the sentiments of his heart. He was their servant in matters of religion. Their society, through God, would do good for society and for Australia, and especially among individual members. In introducing the Archbishop of Melbourne, the district president said that all were grateful to his Grace for the noble services rendered to Australia and to his native land. They remembered when this country was threatened by people who gave its interests no consideration, the voice of Dr. Mannix rang out strong .and fearless above the tumult, and, thank God, it was heard by those who remained true to Australia. The district president, as a mark of appreciation, then presented an address to Dr. Mannix. An enthusiastic

demonstration greeted the Archbishop of Melbourne as he rose to reply. It was some time before his Grace was able to speak. He said he was overwhelmed by the compliment paid him on that great occasion of their golden jubilee. There was a cheque and an address to be presented. The cheque went to the Archbishop of Sydney and the address was given to him, (Laughter.) He thought that they would agree with him that the Archbishop of Sydney had, as usual, chosen the better part, (Laughter.) When he gladly consented to attend their' jubilee, he had no idea that he was to receive the address kindly read by the District President. If it had been left to him he would gladly have come and taken part in the celebrations just like anyone else. On his return, after many vicissitudes, they had taken part in his welcome home, and no doubt now they, as Hibernians, were anxious to present him with some special mark of their affection, which he would treasure. (Applause.)

QUEENSLAND. In addressing the newly-confirmed after a Confirmation ceremony at Oakey recently (says the Catholic Advocate, Brisbane), his Grace Archbishop Duhig dwelt particularly on the necessity for a religious home life, and every possible refining influence for the children. He impressed upon the parents the necessity for keeping their boys on the land. He trusted that not one of the 73 boys that he had confirmed that morning would go seeking a position elsewhere, and he instanced the present retrenchment and enforced retirement from the Civil Service as a sample of what they might expect if they sought and entered Government billets instead of holding on to their farms. The Archbishop then went on to speak of immigration. \ He said that while Australia would welcome all who were desirable in this respect, he regretted that the agencies co-operating in bringing about immigration to Australia were all non-Catholic. He thought it was only fair that their co-religionists should be brought here as well as others, but he feared there was prejudice in some quarters against the Catholic immigrant. For this and other reasons, he strongly urged the native-born young men not to forfeit any of their claims to prior right in a country of which their fathers were the pioneers. It had happened in the past that immigrants were treated better than the native-born, and he trusted it would never happen again. The young men could best serve their native land by developing its primary industries and by the practice of thrift. His Grace, in conclusion, strongly, advocated early marriages. He said that the prosperity and well-being of the country and the moral welfare of our young people would best be promoted in this way. No country in the world could supply its sons with worthier wives than the young women of Australia were capable of becoming. But the deferring of marriage on the part of their young men was very much to bo deplored, and it was particularly noticeable in the country districts, just where early marriages should be most frequent. He trusted that henceforth such marriages would be the rule rather than the exception. They would certainly be one of the best means of peopling this young country.

TASMANIA: The burden which Catholics are bearing in Tasmania in the matter of education may be ganged from a knowledge of the fact that on the average daily attendance in the State primary the cost works out at £6 19s Id per scholar, or 15s 6M per head of the population. This means that each Catholic, while paying 15s 6£d per head towards State school education pays a goodly sum for the education of Catholic, children, as well as paying for the cost of building schools. There are some thousands of children in Catholic primary schools too!