IRISH DELEGATES. MEETING OF THE RECEPTION COMMITTEE. Auckland, May 23.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 371, 25 May 1889, Page 5

IRISH DELEGATES. MEETING OF THE RECEPTION COMMITTEE. Auckland, May 23.

A committee meeting of the above was held in the Catholic Institute last evening, and was numerously attended. Mr R. J. Duncan presided. The principal business was that of reading the replies to ,bhe circulars sent out. It was resolved, "That the replies received from the members of the House of Representatives be not handed to the press for another fortnight, so that sufficient time should be given for the replies to come in.' 3 Eight replies, out of 19 sent out, had been received. It was also decided that the publication of the replies be left in the hands of Mr R. J. Duncan and the Hon. Secretaries. It was re&olved to appoint Captain D. H McKenzie permanent Chairman of Comnuttee, and Messrs Jas. Fiynn and Frederick Moore Treasurers. An executive committee was appointed to arrange matters in connection with nexc meeting, which is to be advertised, and to which ladies and all interested in the Home Rule question will be invited. The following letter from the American Consul was read :— Auckland, N.Z. JSJay 18th, 1889. Messrs M. J. Sheehan and Wm. Jennings, Hon. Secretaries, etc. Gentlemen, — Your kind note of the 16th inst. at hand, requesting permission to add my name to the Reception Committee, who are to receive the Irish delegates upon their arrival in Auckland. I wish you would express my sincere thanks to the members of the Committee for their kind consideration. Under ordinary circumstances, I certainly would esteem it an honour to have my name idenoilied among the gentlemen who have been appointed to receive the illustrious "Irish Patriots," who are about to visit New Zealand. I regret exceedingly that lam compelled (for obvious leasons) to forego the honour and pleasure the granting of such a simple request would undoubtedly afford me. I am here the humble representative of a people and a country who, I presume, it ia unnecessary for me to state, has always taken a keen interest in the welfare of Ireland, and who has contributed materially toward whatever success may have attended the efforts of those who have been and are to-day doing battle in their country's cause. Rest assured that the sympathy shown by the Ameri can people in the past for the oppressed in Ireland will continue unabated. But while the Americans generally entertain the liveliest interest in your ultimate success, the settled policy of the Government is that of non-interference on the part of its representatives abroad with the social or political affairs of the countries to which they may be accredited. Therefore I deemit advisable and prudent (though I do so regretfully) to respectfully decline, lest acquiescence on m}' part might be misconstrued and thereby lead to unnecessary and unpleasant complications. Were lin the capacity of a private citizen I could gladly and cheerfully accept an invitation to honour and welcome Mr Dillon and his distinguished compatriots, or any man who has the cause of long-suffering Ireland at heart. These gentlemen are devoting their lives and their fortunes in laudable efforts to ameliorate the condition of their unhappy countrymen. Truly they are deserving of such a reception and kind treatment as only the generous and libertyloving people of Auckland can, and will I am sure, afford them. I trust that every man, not only in Auckland, but throughout New Zealand generally, who has the cause of human liberty in then- breast, will not only lend their piesence on such occasions as may be offeied them to hear those distinguished gentlemen in other parts of the colony, but will also contribute of their means. And I sincerely hope the day may not be far distant when peace, happiness, and contentment will reign in Ireland where utter wretchedness, illtreatment, poverty and misrule has so long hold sway. — I have the honour to be, gentlemen, faithfully yours, Jko. D. Connolly, U.S. Consul.