HOME RULE ANTI-DILLON AGITATION. A LIVELY MEETING. Auckland, July 20.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 388, 27 July 1889, Page 3

HOME RULE ANTI-DILLON AGITATION. A LIVELY MEETING. Auckland, July 20.

Osk of Mie liveliest meetings held hero for some considerable time was that held by self -styled " Loyalists " at the large room of the New Zealand Insurance Building?, yesterday afternoon, for the purpose of opposing 1 the proposed reception and assistanco uo be given to Mr John Dillon, ono of the Irish delegate?, on his arrival in this colony. Thero was a crowded audience, and on the platform were. Messrs R. C. Barsbow, D. B. McDonald, It. F. Clarke, Sealy, F. Hull, and R. Farrell. Mr Barstow was voted to the chair on the \oicos. He read fcho uiculnr bv which the meeting was convened, and said he was very glad that it had had the effect ol attracting to the meeting such a largo number of persons. They all | knew the cause of the meeting. Certain delegates, or parties representing themsolves as delegates, of a Home Rule clique, ("No, no.") had come to ihe colonies. They were at pre&enb in Australia., and one of the number had accepted an in\itufcion to come to Auckland. (Hear, hear). Preparations had been made for his reception, and it was a matter of public nototioty that parties who had been out here, many of them of the highest standing;, had represented in (Jreab Britain that the colonists of .Australasia were almost universally, in favour of Home Rnlo (hear, hear, and criea of " Quito right," and "Quito wrong"). 'Two of those who had so misrepresented fch'e convictions ol colonists wcrojuo less than the late Viceroy ol Ireland and a Caidinal Archbishop. They met in the colonies people holding their own views'tttftl their o\vn ideas (hear, hear) and -we're 1 led 'away b'y the brilliant recep•bions nccQi'ded to, them by their own paitisansb -with' the idea that their own partisans were all the woild. (Hear, hear.) Cot?c J e'ci[uently it was right that those who did not" Irold the same views should put upon record their actual convictions, not ' only on Home Rule for Ireland, but on what was a bitter mistake so far as eolorfi^ts were concerned, the importation of foreign -politics (Hear,, hear.) Ho called them "foreign" because they were foreign to colonists, and not because the people imbued with those political feelings wcie foreigners. We would resent New .■South Wales or Victoria dictating how this i , colony should be 1 governed, and the people } in Ireland ought, tp iccl that we had no j -Vigh 6 to send word, to them how ive would -have their countjy governed. He did not -blame Home Rulers, in It eland, and would let them advocate Home Ruicr by alliegi--timate. means, but when they sought to stir up elements of discord (A voice : <s They do not "), Avhen they troubled us with matters which were really and truly no concern to colonists, who weio Home Rulers at> far as New Zealand was concerned, and governed their own affairs. — why they should make trouble and tiuraoil amongst us, and why they should leprcfecnt us as in favour ot Home Rule, ho knew nob. They should set their faces against any public demonstration on matters that were of no vital interest or importance to themselves. (Hear, hear.) Another question was the advisability of Home Rule in it,«elf. Who had defined Home Rule ? Who could define- it ? (A voice : " A woman," and loud laughter.) One man wanted a separate parliament in Ireland, and the next wanted a government in addition to the parliament ;" a third went further, and asked for an Executhc, lotcontrol of the police and the (Jastoms ; and the 'iext wanted control ot everything in Ireland. A voice : Yes, separation from England. Another Voice : And extermination of the Protestants. (Laughter.) Mr Barstow proceeded to &ay that in this way they went on, step by step, until they heard of Parnell declaring in America that he never would sleep until the last link that tied Ireland to England had been so\ered Where, he asked, were they to stop ? Was Ireland to be a thorn in England's side ?' ° A voice: "Who made her a thorn in England's side ?" Mr Baistow went on to say that Ireland could never be an independent country, and he a.-ked : ""When did Ireland ha\c Home Rule?" ("Never," cried several voices.) And now, he taid, Ireland \\n& praying for something she never yet had. A voice here interjected, "All the mote reason why she should have it now." Mr Bar^bow, proceeding, said that) for thiee hundred years, from (he tune of Queen Elizabeth to the time ol the Union, there was a semblance ot an -Irish Parhamene, and the culmination of that. ,wa-, the Revolution of 1798 in v\hich 1,500 or 2,000 people lost their* lives. Ho then w cot on to remark upon tho religious intolerance of the Irish people in times spavt, and' then' propounded the query Aic these the people fitted to control bhq' afiaiis of Lolanri ? ' • * One of the audience here sugec^ted that their condition was bi ought about bv England's _ mistakes, and Mr Bavslow answered his own question by saying fchab the Irish wero not qualified to govern themselves, an observation which piovoked hooting, hissing, and uproar. Mr Barstow said he admitted that there was a large number of lu&hmcn amongst the most enlightened that could be found, but yet the gi>eat mass ot people to whom =uffrage had been enbiusbed wore sunk to tho lowest depths of ignorance. This remark gave rise to a chorus of " oh's," and ono of tho audience insisted that bbeie woie ,'iust as many ignorant people in England and elsewhere. ' . ' Mr Barstow, continuing his speech. Baid these people wereledbydejnagoguesandagitators,andthisrenmrkbrouphtaboubanother -interruption from one of the audience,,who claimed that-blie Chairman was introducing. • external questions calculated to promote the very discord which he asked them -to avoid. This gave rise 'to renewed uproar., and several "suggesbi6ns weie made that the. interruptor should be turned "out,. kicked out, and suppressed in divers" other ways. Mr P. Gleeson thought it ptoper to disclaim any connection with bhe person interrupting, and asserted that tho individual referred to was " on his own hook." The interrupbor thus assailed, who proved bo_ be Mr Mollhone, good-naburedly admibted bhe soft impeachment, and claimed that ho had a perfect right to interrupt "on his own hook," a remark which caused much laughter. _ Mr Barstow, having permitbed this diversion to have its course, went on to remark on what ho called the uncontrollable character of the 'Irish people, and alleged that this and their conduct in interfering with legitimate trade made them totally incapable of conducting their own affairs. He said that if anyone would define what Home Riulo was wanted, it would be very easy to adduce arguments against it, bub they never had it exactly defined, and then he ventured the remark that Gladstone was only a Home Ruler because he wanted the Home Rule 1 votes. This provoked di&senb in several quarters.

Mr Barsfcow nex6 gave some personal reminiscences of Ireland, arid averred that it was rather the landlords than the tenants who were badly treated (a remark which caused iionical laughter). He said that improvements were made by the landlords, and they got no increase of rents, and that when colonists heard/of the so-called exces- , I sive rents paid by Irish tenants they should bear in mind that five Irish acres were as much as eight English acres, and that 40s per aero in Ireland would be equivalent to 25s per acre in England. He resumed his seat amidst applause. Mr l<\ Hull moved 'the first resolution, "That, as it has beon asserted thai the colonists are generally in favour of Home Rule for Ireland, it i-i considered advisable that. steps should bo taken to show that ; this statement is incorrect as far as relates to this portion of New Zealand." He described hhmclf a-i a Loyahdb, and a Loyalist as one loyal to hid .«o\ereign and to the Government ot this country. He thought a man who went from end to end of the world to collect monoy with which to light his Government was not a Loyalist, and that the people who ananged public receptions for such a man were not Loyalists (disorder). The speaker went on to speak ot' the inadvisabilifcy ot holding political domonstraLions in connection with which colonists had no personal interest, and intimated that if the Homo Rulers did not proceed with choir Dillon agitation the Loyalists would be satih'cd to let matters remain as they were. He caused loud laughtsr and prolonged applause by striking a dramatic attitude and quoting " We don't want to light, but by Jingo, if wo do. 1 ' After the audience had once more regained its equilibrium, Mr Hull went on to explain that the object of the meeting was to lodge a prote&t against 'agitations ! being- introduced into the, colony" They waited' fair pla3 r ,,and it- was not fair play to have only ono tide (laughter), and they wanted to oonfuto the statement that colonists were all Home Rulerd, which they were not. Boycotting appeared to be the first element of this Home Rule movement. Evidence of that was afforded at the first meeting of Mr Dillons supporters held in Auckland, where one speaker advocated sending invitations to merabeis of Parliament, so that they should know kl who aie lor us and who are against us." The eflect of this upon weak-kneed politicians was that they .said ; " We'll declare oufehes Home Rulers, and we'll get a block voto ; we can trust to our friends on the other side to make up the rest." Mr Hull quoted as an insUmce of intolerance the action of some Homeßulets in rushing to J\lr W. L. Bright / immediately on his arrival and informing J him that some sailois on the Orlando had ] the timerity to attend an Orangemen's meeting, and u Home Ruler in the audience ejaculated, " Because the sailors had transgressed the law."' Mr Hull spoke in an amusing strain of absentee landlords, and quoted a typical Irishman, who had made the obseivation that "absentee landlords were the curse of Ireland, and the place was swarming with them, 1 ' a- palpable bull, which convulsed the audience. For his own part, Mr Hull said he did not belie\ethe "absentee landlords'' were there at all, or they would have been shot. (Laughter.) He claimed to be a strong Unionist, and that it was his duty to mainLain the integrity of the country, and concluded a highly amusing speech by quoting figures to pro\c that at a recent election in Belfast the voting was three to one against the Home Rule candidates. He capped thjb by aborting ihat tho--e who voted agninst Home Rule were highly intelligent men, a remark which piovokcd ironical laughter. Mi Li. F. CAnikc, who seconded the 1 evolution, said there was no objection to agitation foi thu redress of giiovunccs .so long as iL was carried on in a constitution. il mannei. {Hear, hear.) It the liish delegates proceeded on constitutional line-* he saw no reason why they shonld not be allowed to address public meetings hero, but he did object to rcpnits being s-ent Home representing 1 nearly the whole of the colonists to be in favour of Home Rule, llis desire was that Jrcland should have equal lights and privileges with those given the people of England He would give her local self government, but not a Parliament of her own and not separate Government, because he believed it would lead to mitcliicf, bloodshed, and much misery. (Itomcal laughter.) Mr Gcttany next mounted the platform, and piocccded to read a icsolution j^'^ed af a mooting held in Utoxita, .StalJoidtihiro, He was assailed with cues of "We don't want to hear you:" "'Are you a Home Ruler V" "We don't come hcie Lo hear Homo Rule," etc., etc. The Chairman explained lo Mi Bettany, amidst conthricu.s u pi oar, th.'it the meeting was not called for political di<spu&sion, but for <in oxpiess pmpo->e. Jir Bettany said iflTomc R-ulq in Ireland, was not apolitical question, ho would like to know 'what it uab. (" ilc'ar, hear,'" and uproar.; Mr Harrow Paid this was no reason why it should be intiodu'ced into thih country. Hr-'lJcfitatiy : Ijusl;\\anb to show whiit the pcop'e want. (UpioaY.) The Chairman : l£ it the wish of the meeting that bins ecnblcman .should' bo heaid"? -(Yells o? ",Ko;'' and "Chuck him out !n)! n ) The Chairman said that the meeting at Uloxita had as much bearing on the object lov which the present meeting was called as a meeting of the thiee tailors of Tooleystiect, anil iciled Mr Bettany out of order. The latter abandoned the platfoim amicl&fc uproar and biasing. Mr Mcllhono mounted fcho platform to explain why he had been inlet rupting the meeting, and was assailed with applause and hiding. He claimed the right of any person aba public meeting to expicsb dissent fiom any statements with which he did not agroe. This was leceived with cries of " Ko," and " This is not a public meeting." The Chairman said that this was not a public m'eoti,ng, but a meeting called by circular. Mr Mcllhone said it was a public meeting convened by advertisement, and was again drowned with erica of " Down, down " and stamping. The Chairman: If l>h Mcllhono wishos to apologise, I think we are entitled to hear him, but not otherwise. (Applause.) Mr JNJcllhone urged that what he v\as going to say was in tavour of the resolution, and proceeded to explain that the Irish delegates did not intend to force their grievances upon us. That was altogether a misconstruction. (Cries of "No," and uproar.) These gentlemen had come to the colonies for the purpose of collecting money to help the . poor at Hovie ("No "), and not to set one neighbour against another. (Uproar.) Ho<askedthen to rofrain from rashness and judge of the object of the gentlemen after they had been heard. This piece of advice was received with yells of " No " and uproar. Tho Chairman having restored quietness &aid that he was afraid Mr Mollhono's advice was to catch the small pox and get rid of it atterwards. (Loud laughter.) Mr Mcllhone bowed to the force of cir • cum&tances, and left the platform, and his place was taken by a gontloman who described himself as a <f now chum," who had.

taken part in the Home Rule battle a - ,* Home. In tho heat of that battle they were " called all sorts of names, but they hold fchep name of "Loyalists" in common. (Ap- ■'■ plaiise.) They were for Home Rule-andJ-^ they Were Loyalists too. (ApplauW.) He r • did not agree with whac had been said about <•* "external political discord;" he thought | Ireland and New Zealand formed parte ot the same Empire, and he wentin for.frdedom of speech. if bho&e Irishmen who were in favour of Home Rule wished to receive one - of their friends to hear a lecture or oration upon the state of their country, they ought to be heard. If others did not want to hear an eloquent and highly respected member of the House of Commons, they could stay away. (Applause and dissent.) Mr G. Peacocke next tried to get a, hearing, and he was greeted with deafening uproar. The Chairman : Do you wish to speak in support of tho motion ? JVI r Peaeocko : If I am not to say what I want to say it is no use speaking at all. Mr Harrow : Put it to the meeting whether he is to be allowed to speak. (Cries of " Chair " and uproar). Mr Peacocke said he wanted^ to argue the point whether he had a right fco speak or not. (Uproar.) If nobody was to speak exceut those who were supporting the resolution, ib should be stated so from the chair, and then the value of the resolution would be known. A voice : Are you a Loyalist ? and uproar. Mr Peacocke said Vi 6 was a Loyalist, and he believed in the integrity of tho Empire. They had called a .meeting to t protest against the introduction of political .discord, and then discussed the question by stifling discussion. 'If that was not a Hiber- ! nian vvay.of getting rid of a discord he did not know what was. Why would they not listen to what could be said on the other side? (A voice:, "We know what is to be said on the other side," and laughter!) After repeated interruption Mr Peacocke asked the Chairman whether he was /.to understand thab no one had a right to speak except those who wished to support the motion. The Chan man replied : >If they do not intend to speak in support of the, resolu- ! tion, they cannot speak. (Applause and i dissent.) Mr Peacocke retired amidst uproar, »nd Mr YV. Jennings asked to be heard to correct a misstatcment. Mr Hull had stated I that the Irish delegates were coming here tor the purpose of collecting money to fight their Government (uproar), and it was not so. Their object was to raise money to assist the tenantry at Home, and not to light the Government. (Cries of ',* ISfa," and uproar.) He appealed to the meeting whether a judge ever condemned a man unheard, but had to retire ainid&t uproar, wibhouc receiving a reply fco his query. The resolution \va3 pub and was received with a yell ot "aj'Cj" while tlje noes mustered a respectable minority. A show of hands was called for, and the resolution was announced to be carried a most unanimously , amid loud applau&e. Mr Sealy proposed, " That a committee be now appointed to make arrangementb for holding a public meeting of all those persons who are opposed to the institution of a sepaiate parliament and ,Go\ eminent in Ireland.", He said that the a^sp-ition made that Ireland wanted nothing bub a separate Parliament/ was not stating what the actual fact was." To <jivo Ireland a Home Rule Parliament vra- -giving thorn the tirsb step to separa tion. Mr Far roll seconded the resolution. Mr Edwin Carr urged that all foreign political agitation should be kept down, and aUo quoted a sbatcinenb mady by Henry ■ Geoigo, thai if Ireland were made an Amcii *an ytato to-nioirow she would nob be any better oH, bub worse oft. He urcrcd> bhab they should nob have men coming hereto traduce our fathers and biotheis'afe HLame, and by making fallacious statements. (Applause. ) ' , , ; Mr Hodge suggested that we had enough . Lo do to look after our own affairs -in the colon}', and said that if we sent delegates to Ireland bo complain of the way we were treated by our Government wo would probably be fcold to " mind our own affahs." Mr J. L, Kelly moved as an amendment: "Thab a Committee beappointed ' to call a public meeting, 'if necessary, bo . piofcesb aeainsb the introduction of external ', discord into New Zealand." "Rev. Mr Sprott seconded the amendment. ' Mr J. M. Claik pointed out that ife would be of libble u.«e to call a meeting to piotc-b against the introduction of elements, j ot discord after these elements had been ' inbioduced. He suggested an' addition to ' the resolution of bhe words '* if such public • meeting is tendered necessary by the ar- ' rival of a delegate. " ■ / ' • ' * Tho resolution was amended accordingly ' ; and declared canjed on th 3 voices. " ; ]Sir D. B. McDonald moved that the com- ■" miblce ■bhall consist ot the following gentlemen, fhe to form a quorum: Messrs Barstow, fealy, j\leCau«land, Alexander, Harper, Clark, Farrell, Spratt, Hull, *' f SCumb, Major George, and 1 bhe mover, ' " with power to add to bheir number.- ' : lie evnlained thab the object of the appoint- * , ment ot the Committee was to provide a ,i i channel through bhe voice of which all those ' V persons who were opposed to tho granting 1 '£ of a separate Pailiament and Government bo Ireland, might, be heaid in the principal Legislative Assembly of the Empire. He" also quoted some remark" 6f bhe labe Hon. John Bright against the granting of Home Rule, very recently published by request in the Star. Mr Spratt seconded tho resolution, which wai carried unanimously. The meeting terminated with a, vote of thanks to the Chairman.

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