CARDINAL MORAN’S SPEECH.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 218, 20 September 1901, Page 2

CARDINAL MORAN’S SPEECH.

THE CORONATION OATH. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Sydney, Sept. 19. In the course of a speech at tiie opening of a bazaar, Cardinal Moran said that in the present day wo in Australia had a genuine republic. He was not going to speak as a rebel, hut as a common-sense speaker; and, comparing America with Australia, he said if tho same treatment were extended in Australia for one month which guided the Home Government in regard to America, before another month Australia would he Independent Australia, and she would have his fullest blessing in being so. Regarding the suggested change in the Coronation oath, about which the Catholics of Australia sent a very energetic protest, they were greatly indebted to the Commonwealth for the prompt manner in which it forwarded a manifesto to tho Home Government, hut they saw to their chagrin how cavalierly Mr Chamberlain as representing the Home Government, treated the question. He seemed ignorant about the whole question being endorsed by the entire Commonwealth. He would teli Mr Chamberlain that the Australians had too much sense to he beguiled with such effrontery. They knew their rights, and were determined to fight for them. Dne of those rights was that when the Coronation oath insulted the great body of Catholics, tho wording of it should bo amended. When the Sovereign came forward and insulted one-fourth of tho citizens of Australia, they said to the Government of Great Britain, who forced such an oath on the King, that if such a Ring goes on, we know our rights, and an independent Australia will startle you ume day sooner than you expect, 110 lid not think a more liberal-minded man ban tiie King existed, or one that more -bhorred the oath ho was supposed to ake ; but the King was, unless ho obected, forced by law to make a profesion which he did not believe, and to inult citizens he would rather honor and espect. All they wanted was tho British rovernment not to impose such an unleasant duty on the Sovereign.