RECEPTION OF THE IRISH DELEGATES. SPEECH BY SIR GEO. GREY. Auckland, May 29.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 373, 1 June 1889, Page 4

RECEPTION OF THE IRISH DELEGATES. SPEECH BY SIR GEO. GREY. Auckland, May 29.

A deputation appointed by the Irish Delegates Reception Committee waited upon Sir George Grey, by appointment, at the residence of Mr Seymour George, Parnell, this morning, for the purpose of soliciting his co-oporation in the movement recently set on foot for according a fitting reception to the Irish delegates, Messrs Dillon, EsmonUe, and Deasy, on their arrival in Auckland. The deputation consisted of Messrs J. M. Sheia, Monsignor McDonald, YV. Duncan, Father Hackett, Father Mahony, John Campbell, Gerald Peacocke, Dr. Bakewell, R. J. Duncan, \V. Jennings. Mr W. Duncan, who acted as spokesman, addressing Sir George Giey, eaid that he was probably aware that a commibteo had been formed to make provision for according a suitable reception to the Irish delegates, Messrs Dillon, Esmonde and Deasy, who are now on a mission to those colonies in the cause of humanity, and also with the object of onlightening the colonists on the Irish question. The promoters of this movement in Auckland at their last meeting appointed a deputation to wait upon him (Sir George Grey), as they 'were already assured of his moral support, to assist them by more acthe co-operation, and to consult him with the- object of making the iecoption as fitting ns possible. They were also anxious that he should preside at the public meeting to be held for the reception of the delegates, but in fairness they could not ask him to promise to do so until some more definite arrango- J ments were made with regard to the date. The gentlemen appointed to form the deputation were present with tho exception of several who had sent apologies, including Messrs Hugh Campbell, J. A. ■ Tole, ' and Captain D. H. McKenzie, all three being unavoidably absent, 'lhe deputation was a national and representative one, and the members present would be pleased to consult with him (Sir George Grey), or to receive any suggestions from him ; also to obtain from him an id^a whether, in the event of circumstances permitting, ho would be able to preside at the public meeting to be eon- \ ened to hear the delegat s. The Rev. Monseigneur McDonald said he could only re-echo the sontimonts expressed by Mr Duncan, and that they would esteem it the greatest possiblo honour if Sir George would extend hih countenance and co-operation to the movement. Mr J. M. Shera drew attention to the fact that the Irish delegates, in their Australian speechep, disclaimed most emphatically that they aimed at national independence or separation. (Hear, hear.) They wished, on the contrary, to maintain the integrity of the Empire and legislative independence for Ireland. Tho delegates wished to carry out this agitation in a constitutional manner, and had expressed their intention to givo support and relief to the distressed so long as they abstained from violence. The Rev. Father Hacketb mentioned that the Irish delegates had been invited to visit Otago, and extensive preparations were also being made for their reception at Wellington. They could not ask Sir George definitely to promise that he would preside at the meeting in Auckland, owing to the date not being fixed, but they desired to solicit his help in the cause. Mr G, Feacocke said that charges of disloyalty had been made against those who were taking a prominent pait in this movement, and expressed his opinion thab in doing so the accusers altogether missed their mark. He thought that, contrary to the idea that there was any disloyalty in the movement, its tendency was in quite an opposite direction, and that it would redound to the benefit of the Empire. They proposed to hear these delegates give their opinions on questions with which thej must be moro familiar than the people in this country, but they did not by so doing pledge themselves to the adoption of any particular method by which the Home Rule agitation was carried on. Dr. Bakewell expressed the opinion that they should dissociate themselves from all crime and violence of speech, which brought discredit upon such a movement, and support in a constitutional manner the agitation in which they were joined. The Rev. Father Mahoney paid that lepre«entatives of England, Ireland, and Scotland were associated in this project, and that he considered it would be a disgrace to the peoule of Auckland if they did not receive the delegates in a proper spirit. There wasa project on foot to cntcra protest against the proposed public leception, but he thought ib was the duty of all the colonists to accord their sympathy and co-opera-tion to the delegates. Mr R. J. Duncan also made a special appeal to Sir George Grey to extend hi? assistance and co-operation to the movement. Mr W. Jennings, Seciebary of the Committee, stated that letters had been received from all quarters containing promises of assistance, both monetary and otherwise, and many prominent men, including members of Parliament, had, without solicitation, requested to be enrolled upon the list of active workers.