WHAT ARE THEY AFTER?

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2165, 19 August 1920, Page 3

WHAT ARE THEY AFTER?

NOT LOVE OF IRELAX!). BUT HATRED OF BRITAIN. ,

(Contributed by the New Zealand

Welfare League.)

Comrade Holland, ALP., has raid his piece in Parliament about selfdetermination, the wrongs of Ireland, and, incidentally, (lie wickedness of the British Empire. It is all nice and large in the avuv of sympathy for the poor Irish people, but if the people of Irish, extraction want to get to the kernel of tin's outburst they must learn to know fully (lie mind of all of the party Ilia* Mr Holland is associated Avith. In last week’s issue of “the official organ of the New Zealand Labour Party” we read the following pronouncement: “'flic Sinn Fein Government is the only government lovers of freedom can recognise in Ireland to-day,” and then folloAving this stab; —“If Ireland succeeds in achieving her independence it means the break up of the Empire. That will lie a blessing to the world, and an inspiration to the cause of. labour.” This, mark you, from the organ of the party whose members bleat from time to time that they are loyal people, sadly misunderstood.

What an insult it is to tiie Irish people to have their country used as a cloak to cover the hatred of tills hand. “Love of Ireland!” It is said that “murder Avill out,” and here we have disclosed (lie real purpose of these people. There are no Irish people living avlio could look Avith anything but deepest grief on the breaking up of Ireland, and those who, living Avith in the British Empire, can yet gloat upon the thought of its disruption, must ho viewed with loathing as men who offer the gift of love with the hand of hatred.

Tho Avild burst of discord from the party organ may but express the vieAvs of some of the party, and not all. It is enough to kiioAv that we harbour in our midst creatures so moan of thought that they van find no other purpose'for a country’s Avrongs than to feed therewith the fires of spiteful bate. Who raises higli above the Irish

Harp The blood red symbol of. a ceaseless hate, .Will find the ways of God are tierce and sharp, Since love and hatred ne\*er yet could mate. Union for common ends is love s

decree, Who socks to shatter it hath faith foresworn. A traitor and a lover none may be; Ireland's false friends but meet Avith Ireland's scorn.