ARCHBISHOP REDWOOD AND HOME RULE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1746, 10 May 1913, Page 3

ARCHBISHOP REDWOOD AND HOME RULE.

Sir,—ln your reported interview with Archbishop Redwood, on his return to New Zealand, his Lordship makes retuonco to iiuino Kuiu. it scums to me that the "wish is father of tho'thought,'' as far as his Lordship is concerned. His Lordship states that half the population oi Ulster was composed of (Roman) Catholics and Home Rulers. ido not niiow from what source his Lordship draws Lis figures, but .the recent census taken in Ireland does not confirm his statements. Out of a total population in Ireland in 1911 of .4,381),219, the percentage of Italian Catholics was 73.80, Episcopal 13.13, I'resbyterian 20.0-1, Mothouists 1.42. all other denominations 1.55. Then when we l oino to Ulster, on a basis ut JWJO of population we liave: Roman Catholics i!)i, Episcopal 232, Presbyterian 2GG, Methodists 31, and all other denominations 31. Then, on the present population, it is estimated that the protestant population of Ulster exceeds Roman Catholics by 200.01)0. J hopo his Loidship is not basing his figures on the Parliamentary returns—they won't stand any serious investigation. Then, again, there has been a steady decline of the percentage of Roman Catholics since 18G1. In that year it stood at 77.G9 of the population, and in 1911 ; t is 73.8 G. whereas the Episcop'al for the c .ame years was 11.96; in 1861, 13.13: in !!)11, Presbyterian 9.02 and 20.04 iur the years; Metfiodists 0.79 and 1.42, and olhct denominations 0.51 and 1.55. From the abovo figures it will he seen that Roii-ali Catholics show a steady decline, and all other parties a corresponding increase of population. Then his Lordship makes reference to "the nonsense that is cabled out in regard to the Home Rule question." Well, I believe his Lordship would have it so, but most leaders in politics in Britain do not think now that the opposition of Ulster to Home Rule is all nonsense. Why, we recently had Mr. Redmond, if I remember rightly, saying that tho Ulstermen were the salt of the earth. I don't think the salt has lost its savor yet. Mr. R-edmond started out on this rec-jlit yunpaigu, and said there was no "Ulster question." I think he has revised his opinions, and so have most of Mr. Asquith's Cabinet. Of course, his Lordship has the right to his opinions, still, other people should not. be led away by them, bod Huso they come from such a distinguished dignitary of the Roman Catholic Church.—l am, etc.. THOS. M. MILLIGAN. May 9, 1913.