HOME RULE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8308, 11 December 1906, Page 5

HOME RULE.

ADDRESS AT INVERCARGILh BY MR DEVLIN.

A SPLENDID RECEPTION.

RESOLUTION CARRIED IN FAVOUR OP HOME RULE.-

By Telegraph—Fresa Association.

INVBKOARGILL, December 10. Mr Devlin, the Irish Euvoy, arrived, to day, and was welcomed by the Mayor and sympathiser* with the Home Rule question. Mr Devlin was presented with a sympathetic address of welcome, and in returning thanks said the mission in Australia had been a* triumphant success. He had been instrumental in some degree in removing some of the prejudices, misunderstandings and misrepresentations, which constituted the only opposition to Ireland's claim for the essential light of self-Govern* ment. In the evening Mr Devlin delivered an address, and bad a splendid reception. There were about SQO present. He referred to the Irish party as the principal agant in securing reforms lor the working classes in England, such as workmen's compensation, eight hour day fur miners, etc. Ua said his party wanted for Ireland what New Zealand had. Ireland's demand for Home Rule was not mere sentiment, 'though defensible on that ground alone. There neverwas a more appalliug story of ruin, imprisonment and tyranny brought to brave and gallant people, or suob disaster brought to an timpire, as 100 years of Iriflh history. At one time Ireland bad a Parliament of its own, and though Protestant, privileged and undemocratic, it was responsible to Irishmen, and was responsible for unparalleled progress along lines of industry and agriuulture and economic a'nrl artistic advance. That Parliament was robbed from Ireland by a policy <?f corruption and fraud. Empty mill? i>nd factories testified to the destruction of Ireland's industries, power and resources; prosperous villages had disappeared, inhabitants having died of x starvation or disease, or fled to America. Ireland's j life blood was ebbing away to the extent of 40,000 annually, and the condition of Ireland was a blot on Christianity. Wages were low, labourers lived in hovels, lunacy, cancer and consumption were increasing appallingly, the result of genera] gloom, squalor, poor clothing and bad food. He denied that Hame Rule would mean dismemberment cf the Empire. A resolution was earned in favour of Home Rule.