PRESENTATION OF ADDRESSES. AN ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERING.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 417, 6 November 1889, Page 5

PRESENTATION OF ADDRESSES. AN ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERING.

There was a pleasant gathering at the Star Hotel at noon to-day, when, according

to prior arrangement, addresses from the people of Auokland, tho Hibernian Society, and the young colonials of Auckland, were presented to the Irish delegates together with thiee beautiful souvenirs from the ladies, us already described in our columns. There was a large number present, prominent positions having been reserved for Mr John Dillon, Mr John Deasy, Sir Thomas Esmonde, and Captain D. If. McKenzie, Chairman of the local Reception Committee. Amongst those present we noticed :—: — Captain D. H. McKenzie, Hon. J. A. Tole, Mr T. W. Leys, Mr J. M. Shera, Monsignor McDonald, Messis W. McCullough, J. Poland (Tuakau), VV. Cousins (Hamilton), W. Duncan, G. Peacocke, J. Campbell, F. D. Fenton, Father Hackett. There were a great many ladies present, including Miss Shanaghan, Miss Sheehan, Mrs Duliy, Mrs Gleeson, Mrs Hackett, Miss Byan, Mrs VV. G. Connolly and others. The' Chairman called upon Mr J. A. Tole to read the address presented by the inhabitants of Auckland, and Mr Tole complied, the address being as follows :—: — "To John Dillon, Esq., M.P., Sir Thos. Grattan Esmond c, Bart., M.P., and John Deasy, Esq., M.P. "Gentlemen, — We, the supporters of Home Rule for Ireland, inhabitants oi Auckland, bog on this, the occasion of your first entry into New Zealand, to tender you, as representatives of the Irish Parliamentary Party, our most hearty welcome. "Though we are loyal subjects of Her Majesty, dwelling in one oi Her most remote dependencies, we take the deepeao interest in the rapid progress of the Irish cause, and entertain the tond hope for the early regeneration of Ireland. " Possessed, as we are in this colony, of a free constitution, we fully appreciate and admire the outspoken advocacy of yourselves and the party with whom you are associated, in support of a kindred ioim of domestic government, which wou'd reestablish a free, self-governing, -*nd selfrespecting Irish nation. " We beg to assure you chat the vast majority ot the population of this part of New Zealand do not'Sffard tho Irish question as one that ■">' alien, buc. on tho contrary, as ono that is bound up with the integrity «*nd progress of the whole Empire. " The marvellous results of your mission throughout Australia have afforded unbounded pleasure to us, as they doubtless have gratification to yourselves ; and wo sincerely and heartily trust that like results will follow your efforts throughout this colony. " Signed on behalf of the Irish Delegates' Reception Committee, representing the 3upporters above referred to, the — day Df November, 1889, ' D. H. McKenzie, Chairman of Committee; M. She a han and W. Jennings, Hon. Sees.; F. MooiiEand Jas. Flynn, Hon. Treas. Mr Beehan wa3 next called on and read bhe following address on behalf of the FTibernian Society :—: — "To Mr John Dillon, M.P., Sir Thorna* Grattan Esmonde, Bart., M.P., and M r John Deasy, M.P. " Gentlemen,— On behalf of the members Auckland Branch, No. 81, Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society, we beg to accord you a hearty welcome bo this city, and to express our most ardent wishes for the success of your noble mission. Although separated by bhousands of miles from the scenes of your struggles, we have anxiously watched and warmly appreciated the great efforts you have made in the glorious cause of irish freedom. That such efforts will be shortly crowned wibh success we feel assured, and we earnestly pray that those noble and good men, the Right Honourable William Ewart Gladstone and Charles Stewart Parnell (cheers) may live to see the day when misunderstanding between Gteab Britain and Ireland will have passed away and our long-suffering country again take her place as one of the brightest gems in the British Empire. Then indeed will ive have a, proper union, a union of hearts, and the people of Ireland will take with lighter hearts that foremost place in the intellect and valour of the United Kingdom which they have never forfeited, and which has Frequently gained for them the admiration ->f the civilised world. "In conclusion, we beg to assure you bhat no efforts on our part will be spared to make your mission a success, and we trust bhat your visit will be prolonged in order bhat you may see the wonderland of New Zealand. (Cheers.) Again we pray that are long your noble leader, ' The Grand Old Man,' will be returned with a majority bufficient to carry those glorious measures to which he has devoted the most part of tiis life, and which, we are assured, will cause peace and happiness again to return bo Ireland. " We have the honour to be, gentlemen, yours faithfully, "i^icrnoAs William Beehan ) President. l©i o nea) Tiios. H. White J Secretary." Mr Beehan added that it was intended to have presented the delegates with a purse of sovereigns, but on further consideration the Society came to the conclusion that the list should be kept open, and the money handed to the treasurer of tho general fund, (Cheers.) Mr E. F. Garlick read the third address from young colonials as follows : — "To Mr John Dillon, M.P., Sir T. G. Esmonde, Bart., M.P., and Mr John Deasy, M.P. : "Gentlemen, —lt is with feelings of very great pleasure that we, on behalf of such of the sympathisers in the city of Auckland with the Home Rule movement as are of colonial birth, hail your advent amongst us. The noble cause of which you are the illustrious advocates has our heartfelt sympathy. We have watched the struggle i of the Irish people for self-govern-ment with a deep interest, and viewing the matter, as we do, apart from lthose local surroundings which are caculated to prejudice the judgment, we are of opinion that the concession to their just demands is the only satisfactory method of securing that peace, prosperity, and happiness which they so ardently desire, and that the same would meet with the approbation of the friends of liberty the world over. We aro confident that the passing of such a measure as that introduced by tho Right Hon. William Ewart Gladstone will j tend to cement together in a strong bond of amity and unity the Irish race with the various nationalities comprising the British Empire, of which it is our glorious privilege to form a part, and emphasise the loyalty of the Irish people to Her Most Gracious Majesty Victoria. The sufferings of the evicted tenantry in Ireland have long feeen a blot on our boasted civilisation. That you aie receiving in these Southern lands such substantial help for the victims of this unchristian tyranny is a source of satisfaction to us. Begging to assure you, gentlemen,' of our profound respect and esteem, — We have the honour to subscribe ourselves •—(Signed on behalf of the signatories), 11 E. F. Garlick, " J. P. Danaiiek., "T. LONERGAN."

Mr John Dillon, in reply, said : "Gentlemen, — I have to bhank you with all my heart for the bhree beautiful addresses to which I have just listened, and to say bhab the warm expression of sympathy which is contained in them only bears out the promise which was given to me and my colleagues by the magnificent reception accorded to us last night. I, perhaps, had not sufficient time last evening bo adequately express my feelings of pleasure, and, I will add, agreeable surprise ab the exbraordinary character of the demonstration which was accorded us on our farst arrival in Auckland. Taking into consideration the uncertainty of the hour, and the evening that ib was, it was a most remarkable and significant demonstration of the amount of sympathy bhat we may look for in this city for fche cause in which we aro engaged. (Cheers.) I thank most heartily bhe members ol bhe Citizens' Commibtee, and also the members ot the Hibernian Society, and 1 thank most warmly bhe young New Zealand natives who presented the two addiessee. We have come — I and my colleagues have come to this country to address the people on a subject which is, ab has been very properly remarked in oneoi these addresses, a subject of vibal importance to the peace, prosperity and future welfare of the British Empire. (Cheers.) It is a subject,not only of vita' importance to the British Empire in all it 3 parts, but it is a subject which now has ongaged bo a very great extent the attention of all civilised mankind. The Irish question is no longer a local question. It is a question which has taken its stand as one ot the great questions of European politics, and, therefore, not only the citizon3 of bhe British Empire, but also, and in a higher degree, as members of that wider community which goes amongst us under the name of " Christenden" and as members of a common humanity, we are entitled to look to you for your sympathy and interest in this great Irish question (cheers.) Now, I have always said, and I say it now, that all we ask in any community which we visit on this subject is fair play and a fair hearing (cheers), because 1 feel so convinced of the justice of our cause, and go absolutely cortain that the opposition which exists to our movement is ba^-ed on want of knowledge and on prejudice, I am perfectly certain wherever reason is listened to with a fair and impartial mind, our cause musb win the day. (Cheers. ) And I have noticed a most remarkable fact since 1 came to the Australian colonies, that most of those who have arrived — from Scotland particularly, and also ftom Wales and England — during bhe last three or four years, aro warm friends of the Irish cause (cheers), the reason being that we have succeeded at home in spreading tho truth aboub bhe cause of Ireland, as I trusb we shall now succeed in spreading ib throughout these colonies. (Cheers.) I have noticed that there has been published an advertisement calling a meeting of those opposed to us. I only allude to this for a particular purpose. I do nob complain of bhab in the slightest degree. I always invite and take pleasure in controversy on this subject (hear, hear), because no good cause can sufierfromsuchcontioversy (cheers), and I should myself be personally delighted to meet any honourable gentlemen to discuss fche subject, while I ani here, before a mixed audience. (Applause.) I have no fear as to what the result would be, but I do make this criticism of the advertisement which has been put forward by opponents as compared with tho advertisement convening our own meeting which is to take place on Wednesday, that we invite the citizons of this place to hear us speak on the meriti of u cause which must interest) every citi/.en of the British Empire. Wo do not conhne the meeting to anyone holding any particular views ot" bhe subjecb, but wish all to come and listen fairly to what me may say on behalf of Ireland. Bub in their ad vertisementour opponenbs' invibation is to all bhose opposed bo Irish libeity — to Irish Home Rule, ond nobody is invited or asked to come who id not in opposition to Irish Home Rule (laughter) ; and I think I am entitled to conclude that the gentlemen summoning this opposition meeting know their cause to be a lost one (applause), and that they cannot hope to convert anybody to their views who are not prejudiced already. (Applause.) Mr Dillon again expressed his acknowledgments for bhe handsome presentations, and concluded amidst cheers. Sir Thomas Esmonde said : " Gentlemen, I have to add my thanks to tho thanks Mr Dillon has already conveyed to you for the very beautiful presents which have just been presented to us. I begin in the expression of my thanks for the address which has been presented to us from the citizens of Auckland. I may say bhab I received bhat address with a great deal of pride, and with a great deal of pleasure — with pride because I take into consideration those from whom it comes, and with pleasuie on account of the very sympathetic and very kind sentiments towards us and towards our cause which are expressed in that address. (Applause.) I have long looked forward to my visit to New Zealani. I was exceedingly anxious to visit this very beautiful country and very picturesque country, and I am exceedingly glad that I find myself here at last. But I musb say bhab the pleasure is very much enhanced — immeasurably enhanced — by tlic nature of the greeting and welcomecxbended to us on our arrival here (applause). Of course we cannot adequately thank you for the exceedingly warm welcome accorded to us yesterday, and, speaking for myself, I can only assure you I appreciate your kindness and welcome from the bottom ot my heart. As far as the address goes, it brings a very great deal of pleasure to me, showing that here in this great city, go many thousands of miles away from the old country, or from Ireland —in this great city where inhabitants cannot be supposed to have any direct or vivid interest in the question of Homo Rule for Ireland, there are yob, and not only here but throughout the whole of New Zealand, people interested in this great question (applause). Hcme Rule for Ireland nowadays is no more local question, bub a quesbion which has obtained the deepest s>mpathy and support from most "of bhe people of England, from most of the people of Australia, and from a majority of the peoplo of the United States of America ; it is a principle that appeals to their minds on the broad grounds of human right and human liberty (cheers), Then, gentlemen, I come to the address which has been presented to us from the Hibernian Society. That address I receive with the greatest possible amount of pleasure. I have had opportunities of making the acquaintance of members of the Hibernian Society in a great many parts of the world. I have met them in Europe, and I have met them in America. 1 have met them in Africa, .and also in Ausbralia, and I believe if I wenb to Asia to morrow I would meet them there too. But wherever I, have meb them I have, found , amongst ''them many supporters ' of the Irish people and the Irish cause, and there are none more energetic or more devoted to the cause of Home Rule than these same members of the Hibernian Society. (Applause.) Wherever the welfare of the Irish oeoole has

been concerned the Hibernians have' always been to the fore, and in the promises which this address, contains [ think we may lay to our souls the ilatbering conviction that they will contribute towards the success of our mission to a remarkable degree. I can only wish the Society in this colony every success and a most prosperous future, and that they may long exist co carry out the noble mission for the purposes for which their society has been formed. Now, gentlemen, I thank the young New Zealanders for the last address which we received, and perhaps of all the addresses that is the ono which gives me the most pleasure (applause) because recognising, as a young Irelander, that this comes from a generation akin very much to my own, I recognise that this address comes to us irom representatives of a body of men who will yet be controlling the destinies of New Zealand, as we hope one oi these days to control the destinies of Ire'and (Applause. And it is a matter of very gieat pleasure for me to receive ib, because it shows that wo may hope to receive from the rising generation of New Zealanders an enlightened and sympathetic interest to all questions affecting Ireland, and that we may count upon their assistance whenever required for our people ab Homo in order to obtain the same amount of liberty which they no doubt enjoy here. I shall say no moro, gentlemen, as Mr Deasy is to follow me, but will once again thank you for the addresses and for the very kindly welcome, and also in anticipation, for the success iti New Zealand of our mission. (Applause.)" Mr Doasy : " Mr Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, — I am very much afraid that my friond Sir Thomas Esmond indulged in a little mild sarcasm at my expense, by informing you thaii Mr Deasy was to follow him when he had already said everything that I intended to say. I feel very much in the position of a shopkeaper in a certain city in Ireland, who was selling the same kind of waros as a neighbour. The neighbour published a newspapor advertisement of the length of a column excepting one line, puffing the goods which he had to soil. The man next door satisfied himself by using the unoccupied line and the words " 1 sell the same and I say ditto." Well, ladies and gentlemen, I am here more by accideab than by anything else. A fow weeks ago our work in Australia seemed so enormous that I had made up my mind to carry on there and nni&h our programme befoie coming to New Zealand. Bub at the last moment when 1 recollected all I had heard from Messrs Redmond and others about the&e beautiful islands and the receptions accorded them in all parts of the colony, I could not deny myself bho pleasure, even at the expense of duty I am afraid, of accompanying Messrs Dillon and Esmonde to Auckland. I am glad to see that the young New Zealanders, like the young Australians, are likely to give us every support in this campaign. (Applause.) It is a friendly campaign, and is not in any way intended bo bring about in the slightest degree any severance of those legitimate bonds of union that ought to exist between Ireland and Eng. land (applause), or that ought to oxisb_ between any portions of the great Empire. c are here in the interests of peace, we are here in the interebts of liberty, and we are here ad loyalists in the true sense of the word. I noticed a phrase in the first ad drees to the effect that though you are Loyalists, you are upon the side of Iroland. I ehQuld say ib is because you arc loyaliote, that you are on the side onreiunu. *v...«,<,u nM addresexpressesthehopethabMr Gladstone will be spared to bring about the solution of this great difficulty (hear, hear), in order that Ireland may thus have an opportunity of demonstiating our fidelity" to the down of England. If ever there was a time when Ireland was pub to the test of its allegiance to England it was during the time of coercion and not when we were in the enjoyment of the political lights for which we are now fighting, which you in New Zealand are now in possession of, as is every colony undei the British flag. We aro here now in the best interests not only of Ireland, but of the whole Imperial Empire, and I believe that is pretty well recognised wherever we have been, and I shall be groally astonished when we leave this colony if the same feeling is nob also brought about, and that here as in Australia we will be able to leave with the proud boasb that at least sevon - ninths if not nine - tenths of the population are on the side of Ireland and on the side of suffering humanity. In conclusion I shall only say that we hope by our visit amongst you to bring into closer contact with the Old Country those people who have not taken so deep an interest in her affairs as thoy might have done." Mr Deasy concluded his remarks amidst loud applause. Miss Shanaghan on behalf of the ladies of Auckland then stepped forward and preeented to each of the delegates handsome and appropriate souvenirs of their visit to Auckland a description of which was published in a previous i9sue. Miss Shannaghan said : "On behalf of the ladies of Auckland, I wish bo present you with a little souvenir, which is emblematic of the two islands of New Zealand, the North and South Islands. The South Island is represented by the greenstone, and the north by the kauri. In making you tho presentation we wished to give you something emblematic of both divisions of the Colony. We did not prepare an address, as the gentlemen we knew would say all that we had to say, besides, addresses are nob in our line. As we only expected Mr Dillon and Sir Thomas E&monde, we are nob able to present you, Mr Deasy, with a paper knife. We know that in old countries there are some superstitions connected with the knife, but it has no effect here. Kindly accept from us this pendant for your wabch chain in which you will observe the North and South Islands of New Zealand are both represented, the North Island by the combination of Thames gold and quartz, and the South Island by the greenstone. We have given you a combination of the orange and green in this instance." (Loud applause. ) Mr Diilon in replying made a very happy allusion bo the combination of theorangeand green to which Miss Shannaghan had referretl and remarked: "I sincerely hope and trust that the combination will also be emblematic of the future of Ireland — the combination of the Orange and the Green." (Loud applause). Dillon then went on to refer to the quarrels which had arisen between these parties as abominable and detestable, and so far as the Irish were concerned it was an ill - feeling and spirit ' unnatural to the Irish' race which had been forced upon them from the outside. He believed that if the Irish had the management of thoir own affairs, the Orange and Green would become as f friendly in Ireland as' they are in their own camps at the present time. He hoped to live' to see that day. (Applause. ) Mr Dillon also referred

1 / "r tJ X to the erreat assistance which the Irish cause had received from the ladies, and said that the presentation made by the ladies ot Auckland would afford them much encouragement as showing that the donors were in warm sympathy with the cause for which they (the delegates) were labouring. Sir Thomas Esmondo assured the ladies that he felt much indebted for his beautiful present/, although, as an Irishman, he would require no such reminder of the kind welcome and reception accorded to them by the ladies. MrDeasy expressed himself as recognising that he had been much more favoured than his fellow delegates in that he had received a present which he would not have to go to hia study to inspect but would always carry about with him. He expressed most hearty thanks for the beautiful present, and assured the ladies that it would always be associated with feelings of the greatest gratification in connection with hia visit to Auckland. This terminated the proceedings.