AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 66, 18 March 1903, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

PIB PBBBB ASSOCIATION Received 17,11.47 p.m. Stdnit, March 17. I St. Patrick's Day was celebrated in fine weather, and despite the non-pro-clamation of a holiday the usual sports were held, and the banquet was largely attended. The guests included Dr. Verdon, Bishop of Dunedin, and Sir Joseph Ward. At the banquet Sir E. Barton, responding to the toast of the Commonwealth, said he did not believe there had been, or was cow iricontempla'ion, any sacerdotal interference with Freedom of voting. Cardinal Moran was a wise man and would not be so foolfaaady aa to rush into such a course that might procure for him the rf sontment of the free people. He believed they would find, as ol other occasions', that suspicions of interference, by those who ruled their church, with voting at elections were unfounded.

Sir Joseph Ward, in proposing the toast of " The day we celebrate," said the commemoration of tbe anniversary of St. Patrick should b* dissevered from anything in the shape of politics or creed distinction. He referred to the virile fighting power of the Irish race in the dogged struggle for supremacy in South Africa, which further brightened the shield of glory. He hoped the intertwining of the rose, thistle, and Fhamrock would go on in harmony and peace, so that we'l directed efforts of leaders of public opinion would enable us to build a vast powerful nation.