THE HOME RULE DELEGATES

New Zealand Tablet, 27 April 1911, Page 771

THE HOME RULE DELEGATES

THE PROGRAMME OF MEETINGS In a letter to Rev. Father Coffey, Dunedin, Mr. Martin Kennedy, Wellington, states that the Irish delegates will reach Otago about June 14, and requests that tin various centres, where it is likely successful meetings could be held, should be communicated with. This has been done. It is intended to hold a meeting in Dunedin within the next fortnight to make arrangements for the reception and visit of the delegates. A Press Association message from Wellington states that the following dates have been arranged for the meetings for the Irish Home Rule delegates, now en route for New Zealand: —Wellington, May 3; Masterton, May 4 ; Dannevirke, May 18; Napier, May 17; Palmerston, May 10, Hawera, May 16; Wanganui', "May 19; Stratford. May 23. Other dates have to be arranged. "May 25 has been selected for the Christchurch visit, and June 6 for that to Auckland. NAPIER * A meeting for the purpose of arranging a reception to tho Irish delegates was held in the Theatre lloval, Napier, on the evening of April 19 (says the local Tribune). Mr. S. E. McCarthy was elected to the chair.

During the course of his remarks the chairman stated that he felt greatly honored at being invited to be present at the meeting. Ho was in perfect sympathy with the ideals of self-government which the Home Rulers looked forward to obtaining one day. The best .way for Australasians to understand properly the question of Home Rule was to refer back to events that were almost within living memory. There was the separation of New Zealand from the parent colony of Victoria; tho reason that impelled New Zealanders to sever all connection with Victoria was the same as that which made Ireland ask for Horae Rule. When Horae Rule was granted the Irish problem would cease to exist; Great Britain would present an unbroken front to her enemies, and the one great festering sore now disfiguring her administration would become a thing of the past. In concluding, Mr. McCarthy 7 stated that a cordial reception to the Irish delegates should be accorded them on their arrival, and that New Zealanders, although separated from the Homeland by thousands of miles, should show that their hearts beat in unison. The secretary, Mr. P. S. Foley, read letters of apology for unavoidable absence from Mr. J. Vigor Brown, M.P., and Dr. Leahy, the former enclosing a cheque for £lO 10s and the latter a cheque for £5 ss. Mr. B. J. Dolan moved— ‘ That this meeting emphatically affirms the principle of Irish self-government in tho belief that the granting to the Irish people of the management of their own affairs is in the best interests of AngloIrish union, will tend to promote a definite treaty between Great Britain and the United States of America, and will be a powerful factor in ensuring the strength and solidarity of the British Empire.’ He said that when-self-government was granted to Ireland he looked to its being one of the brightest gems in the Imperial crown. The Irish had fought in every bloody battle that bad helped to make the Empire; they had been present in every siege; and ; t was time that their claims to Homo Rule were considered. Instead of a process of disintegration taking place in the affairs of Ireland when self-government was granted, as had been several times asserted in one of the local newspapers, he looked forward to greater, solidity and unity. As an example, he cited the county council system of government, which, according to an Ulster man, Lord Pine, was one of tho finest in the world. If Ireland could look after her county affairs, there was no reason why she should not have her "own Parliament. In modern times it was the Irish Party that had been foremost in several important reforms. The present agitation for .the reorganisation; or total abolition of the House of Lords was largely due to Irish influence. The House of Lords had for a Jong time been a hindrance to all democratic legislation, but it was pleasing to think that very likely it would soon cease to exist. The much-talked-of Anglo-American treaty could never be ratified until tlie Irish question was settled.. Air. John Higgins moved 1 That the delegates, of tho Irish Nationalist Party now on their way to the Dominion be accorded a hearty welcome on their forthcoming vis* - *-- to Napier on May 17" next, and that a committee be formed for the purpose of arranging the details of the reception and the collection of funds in aid of the Home Rule movement.’ He spoke very forcibly concerning Ireland’s grievances, and fiis speech concluded amid 'applause., Mr. M. F. Bourke seconded the motion. Air. McCarthy stated that the motions had not yet been put to the meeting, but judging by the applause with which each was greeted he had no doubt they would be carried. Both motions were then put and carried unanimously. Mr. Foley stated that from Tangoio subscriptions to the amount of £9 had been received. The total funds up to date were £72 8s 6d. On the motion of Mr. Dolan, all those present were elected a committee, with power to add to their number,, for the collection of funds in furtherance .of preparations for the delegates’ reception. Before the meeting closed £75 Is had been obtained. A very enthusiastic meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to Mr. J. Vigor Brown for the use of the theatre free of charge.