SIR—In view of the statement which has just appeared in the press that the T.U.C. Education
Committee has circularised the Trades Councils throughout the country to draw attention to, and obtain their support for, their schools scheme, I feel that tile time has come to appeal to all Catholic Trade Unionists to oppose, by every available means, the infamous Clause 9 which would rob our children of their birthright of Catholic education.
The following brief account of a personal experience is, I think, both enlightening arm eneoureging. Shortly before a recent branch meeting of our union I heard of an intended resolution: " That this branch heartily endorses the T.U.C. recommendation on education." 1 at once gathered what appeared to me to be sufficient data to support an amendment: "That this branch views with alarm Clause 9 of the T.U.C. reporl on Education, regarding it as direct interference with the rights and liberties of the people. That the T.U.C. should be urged to confine their activities to defending rather than attacking the rights of the workers. That Church schools should receive full State aid." As the original resolution did not materialise, I decided to put my amendment as a resolution. I was the only Catholic present mid knew that the opposition would be really formidable. One of those present had been at Blackpool for the discussion on the education report. In addition, the chairman of our branch meeting was also a bitter opponent, and those who attend such meetings will know what effect a biased chairman can hew-and did. Phew l what a meeting it was ! More than once I felt that I was utterly alone and the opposition too hot for me. Despite Several efforts to side-track me into religious and political issues, I took the line that Clause 9 was undemocratic and closely resembled Nazi interference with education I hammered away on these lines, and what had started as a three.tornered discussion gradually developer] into is general debate. At first members looked on, hardly intereated, and I felt anything but happy: then first one member, then another interposed, and it became suddenly quite obvious that the majority were with me. The chairman in desperation suggested that the matter be left on the table. and with difficulty found a mover and seconder. This amendment was defeated on a vote. Then came a slick piece of work technically correct as procedure, but it was procedure that our chaps didn't understand. The amendment that had just been defeated was moved as a mediation, but when the chairman said " Those in favour of the resolution,the audience thought they were being asked to vote for my original resolution ! And so the matter lies on the table. until the next tound can he fought with the help of additional information I have now collected This brings me to nay final point, namely, the absolute necessity of learning the facts concerning the dual system in education and the fine points of procedure, and then attending our branch meetings fully determined to make our fellow-members think. and if poseible think our way. After all, the men we work and associate with are eiritish, and fight for
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SCOTLAND
SIR--In your issue of October 23 the following statement oppears: "The Presbyterian Church of Scotland, while entirely self-governing and self-determining, is recognised by the State as the National Church." The writer is Mr. Peter F. Anson.
The position of the Established Church in Scotland was made clear by the Lord President Hope in the Strathbogie case, when he said :
" The Church Courts say that they have an independent jurisdiction; but who gave them any jurisdiction? The law, and that alone, gave it ; and the law defines what it has so given."
The same Lord President Hope put the position more strongly still in the first speech on the Auchterarder case: " That Our Saviour is the Head of the Kirk of Scotland in any temporal or legislative or judicial sense is a position which I can dignify by no other name than absurdity. The Parliament is the temporal head of the Church, from whose acts and from whose acts atone it exists as the National Church, and from which alone it derives all its powers."
If the General Assembly thinks that it enjoys complete independence, the Lord High Commissioner is there to remind it that it is the creation of the State, When Dr. White, aceording to the report in the Scotsman, May, 1930, noted that the Throne had been " ornamentally but very carefully set outwith the Assembly proper " he drew attention to a very foolish attempt at a display of independence. The few who are interested in the history of the Established Church in Scotland will find The Law of Creeds in Scotland, by A. Taylor Innes, Advocate, full of matter. The publishers are W. Blackwood and Sons, Edinburgh and London, 1902, P. BYRNE. 32, John Street, Kilkenny, Ireland.
YOUTH CLUBS Sip,—With reference to your article on " Have Canteens in Clubs," may I, as a Catholic Youth leader, raise the following points?
Is the chief aim in leading youth to replace family life by offering members such domestic activities as teadrinking? Surely the aim of all youth clubs is to educate our youth into becoming unselfish, reliable and responsible members of a community as a measure towards a better world? Mending a bicycle seems to me one of those jobs which should be done in one's own backyard, whilst certain cultural activities (not necessarily advanced subjects) which will improve the mind and soul of the individual, are surely essential in a youth centre. Domestic subjects of every type as well as arts and crafts for girls, and handicraft for boys will help in the rebuilding of home and family life, and as a youth leader, I maintain that these subjects are far more essential than a canteen which may tend towards the youth's discovery of an attractive substitute for his home. Regarding " the one great room for all purposes " not being a success, may 1 ask what to do when only one room is available, as in the case with most voluntary youth clubs, some of which have to pay a weeldy rent foe such? From experience we find that it is possible to carry out more than one activity at the same time in a large hall. and though this is not desirable, much practical progress can and must be made.
R. CONNALIOHTON. 170, Weeete Lane, Salford S. Lancs.
democratic principles if they are aware that an attack is taking place ; it is up to us to see that they ere made fully aware of the anti-democratic nature of Clause 9.
WM. HISNDERSON, Joe. 11. Bayswater Road, Horfield, Bristol, 7.
BISHOP OF NORTHAMPTON'S SPEECH
SIR, — The Bishop of Northampton directs me to say that he disclaims your report of his recent speech at Corby, wherein you state that " he strongly expressed the view that the Scottish schools' system should be adopted for Eneland." ele was deliberately careful to suggest no solution of the English education questioa as You later report), and he referred the audience to the Hierarchy's statement, published a few days before.
He did say that should the Government be unable to devise some relief for parents in England, the Scottish Catholics before him, who had followed their work from Scotland to Corby, might have to think of returning to Scotland. where they would find more justice, inasmuch as a school suitable for their Catholic children could, in view of their numbers, be provided by the existing law operating in Scotland. This is not even hinting That the Scottish system should be adapted for England.
It may be added that it WaR news to people present that Catholics could have a school provided for them in Scotland, and that the education law differs in regard to the two parts of Great Britain.
NOEL BURDETT (Rev) Secretary. Bishop's House, Northampton.
[We are glad that the actual report of the Bishop of Northampton's speech was correct, but we apologise for the totally unwarranted headline and in(roductory paragraph. Such inaccuracies are to some extent due Co war-time shortage of staff and over-ebullient enthusiasni for " good stories." It is almost impossible, especially in heavy weeks of changing political news, for any one person to check each story in the paper, but a speciai attempt will now be made to safeguard against such mistakes. The report did not appear in all editions.—ED1TOR, C.H.T THE NATIONAL ANTHEM IN CHURCH
SER.—According to the Press, threetioas were issued for a Te Deum to be heard in all Catholic churches on Sunday and that the National Anthem might be sung. It would he impossible for your reporters to visit every Catholic church in London, but in at least two to my own knowledge (where the clergy are not English) the National Anthem was not heard, and I have learned that the same thing happened elsewhere in London. I am not a jingoist, but at a time when we are demanding justice for our schools and proclaiming our fidelity to the Crown, I am sure that the action of some clergy in not inviting the congree getion to sing the National Anthem, when permitted by ecclesiastical authority, 'will do untold harm and play into the hands of our enemies
I trust that you will at least mention in your Columns that such an attitude has been brought to your notice, and that many British folk, many of whose fathers and sons are indirectly fighting for the safety of Eirc, cannot easily forget this exhibition of bad manners. LECTOR. London, E.
[Our correspondent's anger is scarcely justified and his complaint has nothing to do with the nationality of the clergy. Probably because of Its secular associations (e.g.. at end of plays and concerts), it has not been the tradition to sing the National Anthem in church. Such habits die hard, but it may be that gradually it will come into more general use. for. after all, it is a prayer,— i EDITOR, C.H.i IRISH WORKERS SIR,—All the lrisla in this camp would deem it a great favour if you would publish in your paper this Irishman's reply to Mr. Frank Aiken. I May add that 95 per cent. of the Irish here come from Mr. Aiken's county—Louth.
Lovella Camp, Biddlesden Park, near Brackley, Northants.
The letter enclosed is as follows:
To the Editor, Dragrheda Independent. Dear Sir,—Please allow me a little space in your very valuable journal to reply to Mr. Aiken's criticisms of Irish workers in this country (which I have just read in THE CATHOLIC HERALD]. Mr. Aiken said: " It was not good to sec so many young people deserting their country in her hour of need." I think if the boot were put on the other foot by saying the Government deserted us in our hour of need it would be nearer the truth. Another passage of Mr. Aiken's speech said we came over here " just because big wages could be got temporarily." All I can say to that is: If Mr. Aiken calls Is. 6Id. per hour big wages, God save Ireland from the Fianna Fail Government. I can tell Mr. Aiken that it was not in search of adventure or excitement that I came to this country, hut to earn a living for myself and my family. I was a member of the L.D.F. before I came to this country and would still be a member if I was afforded the opportunity of earning a livelihood at home. If Mr. Aiken has arty concrete proposals to make as regards giving us the opportunity to earn a living at home I can assure him that I would be one of the first home followed by many thousands of others. Thanking you, Mr. Editor, I remain, AN IRISH "Aciveerruftee."
PORTRAIT OF BERNADETTE
SIR—May I point out that the fanciful drawing of a child's head appearing on the cover of The Song of Bernadette, reviewed in THE Cane-Jere HERALD. amounts, in effect, to a falsification of known facts in an important matter. In studying the history of Lourdes it is a point of great value that we possess actual photographs of the child concerned. No book professing to give a reliable account of the apparitions is justified in publishing any representation of Bernadette but one of these authentic portraits. Non-Catholic readers of this book, with the picture of a little " gamine " before them, and perhaps unaware of the existence of the photographs, may, even unconsciously. be biased by a mental picture of someone as unlike the reality as can possibly be
imagined. M. 0.