THE IRISH NATIONALIST PARTY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 105, 24 April 1908, Page 3

THE IRISH NATIONALIST PARTY.

I To the Editor. | Sir, —Incidentally tht- writer of tin'leader in this morning's i«*ue of the Daily News minimises, if not misrepresents, the action of the Nationalists in the Mother Parliament. Whoever- - ~ or u ritfv. that the Nationalists take not the slightest interest in foreign relationships or iu any legislative measure designed to affect conditions in England, Scotland, or Wales" makes statements which are not borne out by facts. Any measure having for its object the amelioration of the toiling masses, whether in England, Scotland, or Wales, receives the undivided support of the entire Nationalist Party. Reference to the Home papers containing reports ot debates and discussions on social questions will convince the reader that the Nationalists always figure prominently in all such discussions. Mr. Devlin, the Home Rule delegate, in the course of an exhaustive and eloquent speech delivered liefore a large audience in the Theatre Royal. New Plymouth, claimed for his party the credit of having placed on the statute book a large number of lieneficent Acts to Succour and uplift the working classes throughout Great Britain. The strenuous opposition offered bv the Nationalists to that fool isli. most expensive, and inglorious Sout h African war is proof positive and unquestionable that thev do take a keen interest in foreign relationships, especially when they foresee that the nation wiil have to suffer for tile folly of the powers that lie. To come nearer home, and to a more pleasant instance, Mr. Deakin, the late Federal Premier, whom you appreciatively mention iu your leader, speaking on the Home Rule question said the Nationalists deserved the undying gratitude of every patriotii- Australian for the forcible and brilliant speeches made by them in favour of the Commonwealth Bill during its passage through the Jiritish Parliament. It is incorrect to say of men who take such an enthusiastic part in- the discussion of such momentous questions fbat "they are not legislator- at all in the true sense of the word/' The advancement of the Home Rule rau.se is most undoubtedly the *' dominating" idea in the mind of every genuine Nationalist. but it is not the only idea by which his political life is swayed. Hi" instinctive and deep sense of justice compels him to espouse the cause of the weak and down-trodden all the world oveii—l am. 4c., NATIONALIST.