A Parnellite Conference.

Hastings Standard, Issue 346, 12 June 1897, Page 4

A Parnellite Conference.

The Spectator of April 24th says : When in doubt call a conference and found a new association. That appears to be the rule on which the Irish patriot acts. On Tuesday a Parnellite Conference was held in the Mansion House, Dublin, at which "an Association of Independent Nationalists" was formed, with the following objects : —(1) National selfgovernment ; (2) full civil and religious liberty ; (3) independence of all British parties; (4) manhood suffrage ; (5) redress of Irish financial grievances ; (6) amnesty ; (7) land law reform and the development of Irish resources. That is, of course, a programme which has nothing treasonable or anarchic about it, and no one will object to the Para«llites attempting to carry it out so long as they stick to lawful methods. At a public meeting in the Rotunda Mr Redmond explained that the new association was intended to include men who stood aloof from the National League. The movement for national independence was at its lowest ebb at the moment, owing, he of course inferred, to the policy of the Anti-Par - nellites. A new effort must, however, be made, especially to obtain protection from " the shameless and admitted robbery " of Ireland by England. Every vote of money must be made the for a protest against thi robbery. The Act of Union was illegal' and in future Ireland must not be content merely to ask for the compromise of 1893, but must demand repeal. That is a movement which will suit many Irishmen exactly. It will save them from the danger of Home Rule, which, when it came near, was greatly dreaded by thousands of patriots, and will yet allow them the luxury of a " colossal grievance." Mr Redmond clearly knows his countrymen.