THE REV. J. DICKSON IN REPLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2279, 12 November 1891, Page 2

THE REV. J. DICKSON IN REPLY.

TO TilE EDITOi:. Sik,—-I was somewhat surprised on receiving a copy of your paper to find that in commenting on a speech of mine delivered in the Irish General Assembly, and briefly reported in the Belfast Witness, it was asserted that I had insinuated that Messrs MoShee'by Gentlemun and Twomey had stuck to the money received for the distressed tenants of Ireland. I should be very sorry to make such an insinuation. I don't believe the gentlemen name-id capable of it, or, indeed, any committee likely to be formed for such a purpose in New Zealand. I have too much respect for New Zealand and the New Zealanders to say such a thing. I have upheld the country wherever I have goiiß. The words of mine which you inserted in the same issue wont bear such an interpretation. I have the paper now before me. I said that as the result of moderate speeches made in New Zealand large sums of money had been collected in New Zealand, and "had been sent Home to relieve'the distressed tenants of Ireland—l did not know whether or not it had reached its destination." Pray tell me if it had been sent Home how could it be kept in New Zealand 1 Was it not possible to get it locked up in,, say, the Paris funds, over which there is now such quarrelling between Messrs Dillon, O'Brien, and Pamell, and concerning which Mr Pamell has said that when all liabilities upon it are paid there will be little left for the tenants or anyone else ? Or was it not possible for it after reaching this country to be employed for other purposes ? I know just now some men who are doing regulation work in view of the coming general election, and who say they expect to get handsomely paid out of these funds raised abroad. The newspaper? are now filled with letters written

by the distressed tenants of the south and vrea% of Ireland, themselves complaining bitterly that they have been betrayed into fighting the landlords ; that they have lost their all, and that the promises made to them have never been fulfilled, and asking where the money raised by them has gone to. Parnell himself admits this, and lays the blame on others. Is not this a sad state of matters, and quite sufficient to justify the modest doubt I expressed 1 Indeed, it seems far too mild for the case. Myself, the son of a farmer, and brought up in the house in which were born Sharman Crawford, one of the pioneers, if not the father of tenant right in Ireland, I have always deeply sympathised with the tenant farmers in their struggles with tyrannical and rack-renting landlords, and rejoice in every measure passed or means taken to alleviate their condition so deplorable in many instances in the past. I confess I am loyal, however, to the British connection, and if I mistake not you have often given expression similar sentiments yourself. Indeed, if all political parties here were pervaded by the same moderate views of Home Rule for Ireland which prevails generally in New Zealand, the whole question would be settled before many weeks. There are signs, notwithstanding extreme opinions on both sides, that before long an attempt will be made by the present Conservative-Liberal Government to give what is known in political circles .as Local Government to Ireland, and which some would call a kind of Home Rule, and for one I should wish that essay every success. —Yours, &c, John Dicksok. Moneymore, Co. Derry, Ireland.