Sot,--As a Catholic and a Conservative, the recent reports on
Liverpool's alleged bigotry published in THE CATHOLIC HERALD caused me extreme discomfort.
On reading the reports, 1 felt, however, that the Conservative Party must have more to say than the mete bald statements issued by the Director General and published in your columns. So, in the interests of truth and justice, those two great Conservative principles. I decided to make a few enquiries at the Conservative Central Office in Westminster.
should like to make it very clear to our readers that there is no denial of the existence of the Protestant Clause in the Working Men's Clubs in Liverpool. The Directors of the Party are completely aware of its meaning and, of _much mole moment, they are entirely coriversant with its dangers to the cause of Conservatism.
It ought to be made clear, however, that the Conservative Party, unlike some other political parties, is entirely democratic and opposed to dogmatism. The Social Clubs are not financially attached to the Central Office, and the model rules issued by this office are merely in the form of representation. If clubs, as in the case of Liverpool, decide to overlook, partially at least, the representations of the Central Office, they are within their rights in doing
It must not be presumed that the silence of the Central Office may be taken as acquiescing with Liverpool. On the other hand, I believe that future representat:ons will be made to Liverpool, which may possibly clear up the present. unhappy state of affairs. Catholics may reSt assured that the Conservative Party, as a national body, is not aniagonistiC to the Church. There are many Catholics, members of the Conservative Party, who would certainly resign if they found anything prejudicial to their Faith in the practice of Toryism.
Surely the whole incident is a matter for Liverpool Catholic Conservatives to raise with the local Association. They can be aseured of the support of millions of their fellow Conservatives throughout the country. and of all denominations.
I have been officially informed that Lord Clanwilliam. Chairman of the Association of Conservative Clubs, visited Liverpool for this purpose. This may be an opportunity for the New Conservatives, the young men and women, Catholic and non-Catholic, to convince the Association that the bigotries of 24 years ago, the Irish-Orange hatred of the early twenties, must be abandoned to the future benefit of the Party.
THE CATHOLIC HERALD has performed a duty in bringing the offencling clause to the notice of the general public, Having done so. I believe it ought to leave the handling of future operations to our Catholic Conservatives in Liverpool.
CATHOLIC CoamPRvATtvt.