TYRONE-An Eloquent Representative

New Zealand Tablet, 24 December 1908, Page 36

TYRONE-An Eloquent Representative

Cross the House once more to the Irish benches, the home of witty oratory (writes the autlior of some Parliamentary 'sketches' in the Daily Mail), and yon will find a young Irishman who is destined to uphold the reputation of his countrymen and to make fame for himself. Mr. T. M. Kettle, member for East Tyrone, is still in "the twenties, and is already one of the most fascinating speakers in the House of Commons. He is dark-haired and bright-eyed, arid he has that peculiar irresistible Irish sparkle which softens even the hearts of the most bitter opponents of the Nationalists. Mr. Kettle is a barrister, but he has no legal dryness. He is the born orator, and not the man made into an orator by passionate conviction or the stress of circumstalnees. Wit and humor, denunciation and appeal, come from him, not merely fluently, hut always with effect; while a rich and pleasant brogue sets off a deep musical voice. One of Mr. Kettle's finest speeches was on the occasion of the second reading of the Women's Suffrage Bill. ' Mr. Speaker,' he cried in his richest accent, ' they say that if we admit women here as members the House will lose in mental power.' He flung a finger round the benches. { Mr. Speaker,' he said, 'it is impossible.' The House roared with laughter. ' They _tell me-that the House will suffer in morals. Mr. Speaker, I don't believe that is possible either.' Enthusiastic applause greeted him. "Up above the reporters the occipants of the Ladies' Gallery were leaning forward delightedly, hardly to be restrained by the rules of the House from applauding. Rarely has the. House had a more appealing picture than that of this dark-haired ' broth of a boy' defending the cause of. the ladies with all the gallantry and wit of his native land.