IRISH RULE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2459, 14 April 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

IRISH RULE.

Om, of the liveliest articles in the Xclinitir' llr'uv is entitled Notes Taken During a Visit to a Kerry Nationalist. Here is a side ticw of the way in which full meetings may be secured : —Iu the evening I proceeded to Kerry. The platform was as thronged as Patrick-street bad been. The priests were many, but young girls predominated. From snatches of talk I gathered that many of these young people had come up for a monster meeting held that day in Cork, and that they were going on a lour of meetings through the country. The priests were busy seeing them oil', and sending messages by them to the various sisterhoods throughout the country, who were to put them up. J overheard the la.st words to one kindly looking girl —'• Now mind, you are to attend all the meetings, ami be sure to make as many "f the boys go with yon as you can.'' My thought was, what "boy" (vnlgate for an unmarried man iu Ireland) ould refuse to go anywhere on the invitation of such a pretty girl- . . . The writer of the article was much surprised on reaching his friends to find that they were. National Leaguers. However, that phenomenon was quickly explained. Here is a delightful picture of the liberty which prevails where Irish rule gets the upper baud. With a rueful countenance my friend exclaimed, "If \ did not join the league my cattle would be houghed ; this is a lonely spot; there i.s no knowing what would happen to us. As it, is, we have to put up with many annoyances and depredations about which we, dare not complain. You who live out of the country have no idea how things are, how the people, ho.v everything has irone to the bad." Day by day my friend complained bow little things had been connived at, evils allowed to grow, until now the country is in such a state of demoralisation that no man dare trust his brother, and the poor must go with the tide. " You see. those scattered hovels along that hill—those are -'s tenants. Ask yourself if such farmers or farming would be tolerated in any other civilised country. And yet it is tenants like these who squabble for and are given possession of the land. I give you my word, not one of those men pos-'es-es a farming implement except aeoinmonspado. If they attempt to mow those rush grown meadows, they borrow my scythe; if they attempt lo plough or barrow, or need a cart, it i.s the same story ; and they are not a bit thankful—they do me many a bar"! turn. Another day, nodding to a man who passed, he said —" That's our league secretary and P. L.G.—a jrond thing he makes or it. Every ' boy ' in the parish does his work gratis; be gets the best of fowl, eggs and butter, as presents, and in return puts them on out door relief." Taking an opportunity, I discoursed with this secretary, wdiose nations! aspirations seemed to be on a. low level, as I gathered that his nationalism was merely a personal and remunerative business. " Don't ver honour understand—when the thing is going it is as well to bo 'in it.' If I were not secretary, how wonld I know what ' the boys ' is after; perhaps it is a mischief they be doing me : anyways, now meself is a clever man, knows what's up, an' can take care of meself, which is more than the police could do for me."