HOME RULE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8267, 22 October 1906, Page 5

HOME RULE.

THE IRISH ENVOYS INVITED TO VISIT MASTERTON.

A meeting to consider the question of inviting the Irish envoys, Messrs Develin and Donovan, to speak in Masterton, wa* held in the Technical School, on Saturday evening. Rev. Dean MoKenna presided, and there were about 30 persons present. An apology for absence was received from Mr O. Pragnell, who expressed himself in sympathy with the movement.

The Chairman said that be bad oonvened the meeting to consider the question of extending'an invitation to Messrs Develin and Donovbb, the Irish envoys, to oome to Masterton, or any other step that might be considered advisable to take in the matter. His aotion in oalliug the meeting was the outcome of a letter he "'bad reoeived from the secretary of the United Irish League, Wellington, notifying him that Messrs Develin and Donovan were coming to New Zealand, and asking hijn to organise a meeting in Masterton for the purpose of pushing forward the object of their mission. He was sure that all present knew that the objeot of the envoys' visit to Now Zealand was to keep alive the Home Role movement. Judging by the recent cablegrams, Home Rule for Ireland was not far distanfand the two gentlemen mentioued, recognising this, were doing their utmost to keep the question before the public. Their tour of Australia bad been a highly successful one, and they would shortly be in New Zealand, where, he felt sure, they would be well reoeived. Tbeir mission, besides educating the people on the question of Home Rule, would have the effeot of arousing the enthusiasm of those people who were natives of Ireland, and who fenew what Home Rule meant for Ireland, and whose long sojourn in the oolony had perhaps dampened their enthusiasm on the question. There were two points which the meeting might consider in oonneotinn with the envoys visit to New Zealand. "We might Jendeavour to organise a meeting in Masterton," said the Dean, "and have an address from Messrs Develin and Donovan, or we might appoint a'ooramittee to oanrass the district for subscriptions from sypmathisers with the dome Rule movement, and then appoint a deputation to be present at the envoys, meeting in Wellington, and hand over the money collected in Mastorton. Personally I prefer the former course. 'We might not get a big attendance it the meeting; nevertheless, it would give the residents of the district an oppoitunity of hearing the two men speak. I have noticed that the people of Masterton are always ready to give a fair bearing to those who have a good cause to plend, and no doubt these men will not only get a good hearing, hut an enthusiastic one." Mr Dolan moved that Messrs Develin and Donovan be invited to address a meeting in Masterton. Mr A. Haughey seconded the motion. He felt sure that the envoys would not be disappointed with the reception they would reoeivejin Masterton. Messrs J. O. MoKillop and J. Yarr aIHO spoke in support of the motion, which on being put to the meeting was carried. . On the m.)tion of Mr Dolan it was decided that all those present should be a general committee, and that the foflowing should be an executive committee to make arrangements for Messrs'Develin and Donovan's visit:—Messrs J." Yarr, H. O'Leary M. C. O'Oonnell, J. 0. MoKillop, B. J. Dolan, A. Haughey and the Rev. Deau McKenna. A vote of thanks" to the chairman concluded the meeting. At a meeting of the executive committee, held afterwards, Rev. Dean McKenna was eleoted chairman, »and Mr secretary.

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