HOME RULE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 992, 16 May 1911, Page 3

HOME RULE.

MR HAZLE’ION AT FOXTON

Mr R. Hazleton, one of the Irish M’s.P. who are at present on a lecturing tour in New Zealand in connection with the Home Rule for Ireland movement, passed thr-.ugh Foxton on his way Irom Palmerston North to Shaminon on Saturday afternoon, and was accorded a reception in the Council Chamber. M r Hazelton was accompanied by Messrs W. Devine, Hurley, O’Reilly and Pringle, members of the Palmerston North Committee. It was midday on Saturday before it was known that Mr Hazleton would pass through our town, and consequently the reception was not as representative as it would otherwise have been.

His Worship the Mayor formally welcomed Mr Hazleton to Foxton, and expressed regret that owing to the short time at the disposal of the delegates it had been found impossible to arrange a meeting lor Foxton. He had read the reports of their meetings in other places with great interest and was pleased to know that there had been a very liberal response to their request for assistance. He hoped the rest of their meetings would be successful and when they returned to Ireland they would carry back a large fund to assist the cause of Home Rule.

Mr Hazleton on rising to speak was greeted with applause. He thanked the Mayor for his very hearty welcome and assured all present that he was very pleased to meet them. He regretted very much that it had not been possible to arrange a meeting for Foxtou, but the time at their disposal was very short and they still had 50 meetings to do. If these were as successful as the ones they had already conducted then their mission would be as successful as could be wished lor. He desired to express his heartfelt thanks for the very hearty welcome that had been accorded them in every place they had visited in New Zealand, both by the Irish and all others. Their mission was for Liberty—all that was asked for was the right to control their own internal affairs. The message they brought was one of good cheer,as they were now nearing the end of the long struggle and he hoped to see very shortly the Irish Parliament, which had been lost in 1800, re-established in Lublin. He said he found New Zealanders were fairly lamiliar with British affairs and therefore knew that the power of the House of Lords was to be restricted. By this one of the greatest obstacles to Home Rule would be removed. In 1893, Mr Gladstone introduced a measure which provided for Home Rule for Ireland, but it was thrown out by the House of Lords. The Irish members of the British Parliament were working in harmony with the present Liberal Government, because that Government was auxious lor a great treaty ot peace with the Irish people, and wanted to see them stand side by side with the people of Kngland, Scotland and Wales. He felt sure it would be a matter of deep satisfaction to those present to know that this great difficulty was about to be settled. Mr Hazleton concluded by again thanking those present, particularly the Mayor, for their kindness.

Mr Henuessy, on behalf of his fellow countrymen, thanked Mr Hazleton lor his visit to them that day. He said that their visit to New Zealand would serve two objects. First, the funds raised would be of great assistance in furthering their cause, and, secondly, the personal observations of the delegates would be very helpful. In New Zealand they woulg see the Irish, EuglUh, Scotch and Welsh all working harmoniously together. He made the; suggestion that when the Heme Rule Bill were drawn a clause be inserted that a certain proportion of the Upper House should be comprised of Irishmen with colonial experience. He was of opinion that their experience would be of invaluable assistance to the other members of the House. Mr Hazelt m was afterwards motored to Shannon, where he conducted a meeting in the eveuiug.