THE SECTARIAN DRUM.

Observer, Volume XXIII, Issue 32, 25 April 1903, Page 3

THE SECTARIAN DRUM.

" A Plague o* Both Your Houses.',

ABE we going to hear in New Zealand the whirroo of the shillelagh, to see rival factions parading in their orange and green ribbons, to have coats trailed in invitation of a defiant trample, and the whole community set by the ears through.t he squabbling of two parties of noisy and excitable people? Or are our citizens resolved to bury for ever disputes that are now a matter of remote history, to refuse to make mountains out of molehills in the way of difference of opinion, and to live side by side in mutual toleration and neighbourliness, as they have donefor the last fifty years? ••> ••• ••• The question is suggested by a telegram from Dunedin published this week, to the effect that at a meeting held there it was resolved to form a Protestant Defence Association, somewhat on the lines of those founded in New South Wales, and that steps were taken to draw up a constitution and rules. A Protestant Defence Association ? The very title is an anachronism. What on earth is there to defend ? In this advanced country there is no State church, and all men and all religions stand equal before the law. No coercion is placed upon anyone to adopt or to abjure any particular form of religi; us belief. In fact, any halfdozen of us can form a little sect of our own if we like, and the result of this freedom is seen in scores of little " isms " scattered over the face of the country.

It would be interesting to know what the Protestant Defenders are afraid of — where are the encroachments upon their rights that they are so anxious to resist. No person and no sect in New Zealand enjoys any privilege beyond the right to convert other people to its views if it can. The Defenders would probably be the last to admit that they must huddle together in a league for fear the other side should convince them by force of argument. And unless they could be affected in that way they have nothing whatever to fear. In case of interference with church property or personal liberty the majesty of the law would give them ample defence in double quick time. And what more does anyone want ':

But if there are to be l'rotestant Defence Associations, it follows as a matter ot course that their existence will provoke the formation of Catholic Defence Associations. And soon, if both sides can be convinced that there are grounds for organisation, we shall have the colony divided into two hostile camps, jeering, and sneeringj and arguing with one another from opposite hills of bigotry, and possibly stirring up an amount of excitement that may lead to deeds of violence and cause life - long feuds. And all because a few hot-headed people have worked themselves into a frenzy over a purely imaginary fear that one class in the community may somehow or other get an undue advantage over others.

For an object-lesson in Llie mischief that can be done by this dangerous kind of agitation we have only to look to the case of our Sydney neighbours. There, with Cardinal Moran at the he.'id of one party, and the Key. Dill Mucky as leader of the other, the wor.^t of old-world prejudices have been fanned to fever heat. Sectarian diversions are run by both sides for all they are worth, and a great deal more. On almost every public question the rivai parties beat their respective drums, and the result is continual turmoil. 1 n one or two instances lately there have been faclion lights, with serious consequences •»■ ■»• .».

Do New Zealanders wish to see the same state of tilings encouraged in their midst ? The idea is so ridiculous that an answer to the question is superfluous. ]f the southern bigots persist iv going on with their association and putting forth a propaganda, the rest of the colony, including the party by implication struck at, can afford to look on and smile at their new plaything And if ever the movement does gain ground enough to become dangerous, and the slumbering

differences of old are aroused, we shall have to aak Dick Seddon, as the lord high boss of New Zealand, to interfere, and knock together the heads of the disputants, as naughty little boys who have quarrelled over a shadow, and who cannot be allowed to disturb their neighbours.