British and Foreign.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 19 March 1913, Page 3

British and Foreign.

(bt klbctbio telkgkafh—cors eigiitJ fPSH I'RES'j ASSOCIATION.] ST. PATRICK'S DAY BANQUET. LONDON, Merely 18. .Mr Redmond, who presided at tho St, Patrick's Day banquet, proposed the toast of "Ireland." He said the opposition to Homo Rule was dead, and there was universal regret that the Parliament Aet was delaying its passing. Sir Joseph Ward paid a tribute to tho remarkable success of Irishmen in tho Overseas dominions, and said it. would be a groat thing if Britain gained the goodwill of tho twentylive million Irishmen outside Ireland. The needs of tho Empire required that the festering sore near tho heart should bo healed immediately. It was a thousand pities that the l'lsterinen differed, but the majority had rights equally with the minority. Many Ulsternien in New Zealand were living in amity with other Irishmen. If any interference were attempted with the Ulsterinen's liberty in religion the [British Government, which gave self-govern-ment. must take it a way, and it would be backed by the public opinion of the whole world. Tho Hon. W. A. llolman. Attor-ney-General of New South Wales, in a denial that self-government was a big blot on Englishmen's reputations for honesty and fair play, said tho history of tho self-governing dominions had shown that they were ready to support- the Empire every time that support was needed. Tt was wrong that the boon should be ruthlessly withheld in the very Tfeart of the Empire. Ho concluded by hailing Mr Redmond as a true leader of self-government and declaring that- lie was so regarded in Australia. Prior to the banquet the cooks of the Hotel Cecil downed dishes and demanded holidays, which the management granted.