ANSWERS

Have you any problem on your mind ? If you have and you feel that its solution would be 01 assistance to other people, let us have it. itt, on the other hand, your difficulty is a private One, it will be solved by private letter.
Can a Catholic ever obtain a ilkperwation to marry a firet cousin ? —(5. P.)
Yes. Theologians are agreed that the' impediment of consanguinity between first cousins arises not from natural law but front ecclesiastical law. and the Church can dispense from this law for a good reason.
Is abortion ever permissible?— (M, E.)
Under no circumstances is abortion ever permissible, for it is the killing of an innocent person, and constitutes a grave sin against the fifth commandment (Holy Office decrees: May 28, 1884; July 24, 1895; August 19, 1889; May 4, 1898.)
All enquiries should be accompanied by the name and address of the sender. thoueh not, of course. for publication.
CATHOLIC LITERATURE CRUSADE
SIR, — " Jotter's " note in yfaur last issue describing how eagerly missionaries seize upon a copy of THE CATHOLIC HERALD when it comes their way provides one answer to those interested in the Catholic Literature Crusade who want to do something at once. Not only is it a useful form of the apostolate to send on Catholic papers to the missions, but it would also be worth while to do similar work at home by leaving Catholic reapers on bus, train or other public place. it is a fact that some astonishing cases of conversion and removal of prejudice have followed a casual perusal of Catholic newspapers.
Then there is door-to-door leaflet distribution. The Jesuit Fathers of Heythrop College, Chipping Norton, Oxon, issue excellent leaflets on current topics which may be obtained in quantities at a very small cost and provide the best possible material for this purpose.
These are two easy ways in which can be fulfilled the laudable desire for " action this day." No doubt others may suggest themselves to your readers. This little start having been made, it could be followed up by the establishment of Catholic lending libraries and bookshops.
M. J. We're.
DottoLss ORGAN.
105, Plaistow Lane, Bromley, Kent.
THE SMALL MAN SIR.—The Goveinment claims that the small man is treated the same as the big firm; hut is this so ?
On the face of it, yes—in reality, no.
The complicated war-time trading regulations demand a lot of clerical work in attending to rationing returns, etc., which obviously takes a lot of time extra.
The big firm can detail a clerk or clerks to attend to all this; but the small man, often single-handed, must work all day at his business, and then Sit up half the night to unravel this special tangle. No wonder he often gets fed up, and so is ready to accept an offer from some monopolising big firm to take over his business. Is this fair to the real interests of either the small trader or his customers?
DEMOCRAT.
ANNUAL DIOCESAN EXAMINATION
SIR, — 1 agree with " Viatrix " that the above examination should be dispensed with It fails to promote or foster piety and a staunch Catholicity in either the teacher or the scholar. I was a head teacher for nearly forty years in one infants' school containing Standard I as well. The examination encouraged cramming and parrot-like results. The aim of some class teachers was to secure an excellent report, and such teachers were rarely pious in the true sense. Invariably they got the glowing reports. The teachers who had in view the real Christian conduct of their little ones after leaving school came off second or third best, and yet such teachers were real apostles and evangelists who were Catholic models in their daily life in and out of school. We need all our. teachers to emulate such, and to make it worth while clamouring for Catholic teachers for Catholic schools.
VETERAN TEACHER.