PROGRESSIVE LEAGUE. Auckland, October 29.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 416, 2 November 1889, Page 5

PROGRESSIVE LEAGUE. Auckland, October 29.

The usual meeting of the Progressive League was held in Robson's Rooms last evening, Mr E. A. Farringfcon in the chair. Mr A. Withy reopened the debate on Home Rule. He paid that the best kind of Home llulo was a scheme after the American model — a local Parliament for each part of the kingdom, England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, and an Imperial Parliament to manage national matters, such as the army, navy, Customs, etc. He thought that if it were a just thing for Ireland to get Home Rule, it was equally so for England and Scotland. The Imperial Pailiament at present had too much business to got through —more than it could manage, in iact. He would be willing to give Ireland County Councils, as well as a local Parliament, which would simplify matteis very much. The principle of Home Rule was a just one, and that being conceded, other matters would right themselves. It would not tend to separate but cement the bond of union. One good reason why Homo Rule should be granted was that the majority of the people want it. The real loot of the difficulty was land monopolj 7 , which would soon be swept irvay by an Irish Parliament— the landlords would not be killed off but simply taxed off. [An Irish Parliament would govern tho country in tho interests of the people and 1 not in the interests of the landowners. He thought that when Home Rule was granted a land tax would be run through, and peaoe, prosperity and reform would return to that unhappy country. Separation, he thought, was a bogey started by the Tories to draw a red heiring across the scent. Mr McCarthy said that the cry of reparation was not a bogey, for at the commencement of the movement it was openly advocated by such men as Dillon. As for the press being under a censorship, it was no wonder, considering the things that had j been published in such papers ac " United Ireland."' Parnell and Co. were simply looking after themselves, and so long as they could get £30,000 to pay off the mortgage on their estates, they were right in supporting it. Mr C. T. Renshaw supported the scheme propounded by Mr A. Withy. He thought the Unionists were lacking in charity in regard to the Catholics on this question. Religious toleration was the oi'der of the day now, and no fear need be entertained of the intolerance of the Catholics. A great many Unionists were in favour of the English connection on account of their pockets. JMr Fowlds, in speaking of Mr GlacUtone turning his coat on the Irish question, said that "stubbornness was no virtue," and that it he saw his error it was a virtue- to acknowledge it. He thought that if they were afraid of Ulster being coerced by the rest of Ireland, Ulster could havo a parliament of its own, and the rest of Ireland one meeting in Dublin. As tor Mr Gladstone, he believed that his conduct had been actuated by the very highest motives. Mr T. West said that the affairs of the ! colonies before the granting of self-govern-ment were almost exactly on a par with those of Ireland at the present time, and now the colonies were both contented and prosperous ; so he thought would be the case as regards Ireland. The United States had separate Parliaments, so had Austria and Hungary, with an Imperial Parliament as a supreme authority. Mr Parkinson thought that if Home Rule could be done without, if possible Home Rule should be done without. He thought the payment of tithes by the Catholics was a monstrous injustice. The following resolution was passed by a majority, with one dissentient: — "That we, as residents of New Zealand enjoying the privileges of s.elf-governuaont, symp athise with and support the liiah nation in tliei demands for Home Rule and justice."