THE IRISH ENVOYS

New Zealand Tablet, 25 May 1911, Page 954

THE IRISH ENVOYS

SUCCESSFUL MEETINGS IN THE NORTH ARRANGEMENTS IN THE SOUTH ISLAND -•'-..- Napier - -•--•• Mr. Hazleton, M.P., the Irish Home Rule delegate, was accorded a citizen's reception in the Mayor's room at the Borough Council Chambers on May 17 (says the Napier Daily Telegraph). ■ -I'w » ■'■ -,■■&:.•:--tt- .--,,: His Worship the Mayor (Mr. J. Vigor Brown, M.P.) occupied the chair, and. the room was crowded. .Among those r present were—Messrs. ' S. McGreevy (Waipawa), Sandeman (Wairoa), J. Higgins; B. J. Dolan, M. Murray, W. I. Limbrick, S.. E.. McCarthy, S.M., M. Treston, P .S. Foley, P. Barry, T.. Parker, W. Simm, J. R. Ross, M. L. Gleeson, T. Halpin, , and Hughes". ."-..'-- .. The Mayor, in welcoming Mr. Hazleton, said all sympathised with what those fighting for the cause, wished to get. The Irish people had not been so well treated as the people of New Zealand in the matter of Government. But all things come to those who wait, and the Irish people had waited. ; Mr. Hazleton thanked the Mayor. for his friendly remarks. On all sides he had met with such welcomes as that extended to him to-day. It was gratifying to know that people so far away took such an interest in Ireland. There was a good deal of want' of knowledge of the question, and the press cablegrams frequently misrepresented the movement. As a . member of the British Parliament and, he hoped, very soon the Irish Parliament, he - was pleased to see the manner in which the various social problems had been tackled here. This country had a free hand to build up, : and was not like an old country which had to. pull down before building. New Zealand was far away ahead of not only" Ireland, but also the heart of England in the matter of dealing with social legislation. The struggle had not been between Irishmen and Englishmen, but between Democracy and Conservatism. He wished the town of Napier and. its district every prosperity in 'the future. ; ! ;. After the civic reception the Mayor took Mr. Hazleton round the district in his motor car to places of interest. Mr. Hazleton and the reception committee were afterwards the guests of Mr. Brown at. a luncheon at the Masonic Hotel,--which was served in the best style of the proprietor (Mr. F. Moeller). In deference to the wishes of Mr. Hazleton, no speeches were made. During the afternoon Mr. Hazleton was received by Rev. Father O'Connri' '^ nthe ■.unavoidable absence of the Rev. Father McDonnell after which a visit was paid to St. Joseph's Convent (Sisters of the Mission). The gifted young delegate received a warm welcome from the Rev. Mother and Sisters, many of whom eagerly sought for news of the* dear Old Land. The pupils of the school accorded a characteristic welcome to Mr. Hazleton, who addressed them briefly expressing the pleasure he felt at coming amongst them. I he Maori pupils welcomed the delegate in their native tongue and sang several songs in Maori in honor of their visitor who was greatly interested, Mr. Hazleton asked for and obtained a half-holiday for the children Mr. Hazleton addressed a large gathering of sympathisers m the Theatre Royal on the evening of May 17. Notwithstanding the inclement weather there was a crowded audience,, who gave the delegate an enthusiastic reception. The Mayor (Mr J. Vigor Brown, M.P.) presided, and on the stage were Very Rev. Dean Smyth, Rev. Fathers Tvmons and O'Connor/Rev. J. K. Archer, Dr. Leah™ InErS'rtP'TS Messrs. P. Hally, D N. McMillan S.E. McCarthy S.M M, Treston, M. Gleeson, W. J. McGrath B J. Dolan J Higgins, W. McCarthy, K. Tareha S McGreeney, T. Butler (Waipawa), and P. S. Foley (hon! sec). An apology was received from Rev. Father McDonnell, who was detained in Wairoa. *. IvlclJ onW-? 6 May)r ' *" introducing Mr. Hazleton and the subect he was to address them on, mentioned that our Premier the local SM and Inspector of Police were Irishmen also that we had the privilege of governing ourselves and should assist others in obtaining it for themselves ' Mr. Hazleton was met with prolonged applause on coming forward.. He said he had to thank them ve?v sincerely for the kindly and generous welcome given S in Napier, and gave as a reason for his large audience comprising all creeds, that it was .present to show its syml pathy and support with the cause of Home Rule f or Ireland U n The condition in New Zealand had engendered in the hearts of men and women, the love of freedom and the desire that the blessings enjoved by them should be enjoyed by people throughout the Empire. Also Sy ™ E d as the people at Home were beginning to recoSSf that the Irish question not merely, concerned Ireland out was one of the greatest and most important of the Imnerial questions of the day. At present Ireland was 2f™ J weak spot in the British Empire, Hie one Wot a" t were upon the record of England and'the Empire ° ' He did not am? SSeS d* 0 d S U 7 th 6 fact that a ™ 2,11™ ana discontented, that she was poor and regressive,

whilst the rest of the Empire, 1 including this Dominion, was progressing and advancing in prosperity and population. Ireland had gone back and decayed. •In 1848 she had a population of nine millions; to-day she had less-than four and a half millions of people. ; - Her industries, far from advancing, had declined, her ..population-, had decreased, and her people, instead of, advancing, had grown poorer. \ It was not through any ,-. inherent disadvantages of the soil and climate, for Ireland was famed in song and story as the Emerald Isle. Ireland could support a population five times as great:/ p tH»- xv.»m .--.-,. ■;• ; -,-;- ?fcv? Mr. Hazleton then proceeded- to deal with the causes which prevented > Ireland from progressing,' his remarks being on the same lines as those made,at, other centres* Concluding he said the system of government prevailing in Ireland at the present day brought neither satisfaction nor contentment to the great mass of the people, who were as strongly opposed to it -as they were forty years a,go. There was but one remedy; and that was to trust; the people. Ireland -asked for: what the self-governing dominions already possess, s the' right to make her own laws on her own 'soil, the right to work, out. her destinies in her own way. Ireland did not want .separation from England or r the Empire. What was wanted by Home Rule was a Parliament in Ireland with an executive responsible. to it, a Parliament • to have control over : purely Irish ; affairs. Those who said Ireland was disloyal did not know what they were talking about, or were anxious to misrepresent the aims and aspirations of the Irish. • - ; . Referring to the expenses of the party, Mr. Hazleton said that when he first stood for a Parliament he had to pay £7OO sheriff's expenses,, and it also cost the party large sums to keep the electoral rolls up-to-date. He commended the New Zealand system, and in conclusion said the meeting would know that it had done., its share by their subscriptions towards achieving the establishment of a National Irish: Parliament. -..,:.. . :

Mr. Hazleton was given a splendid hearing, and on resuming his seat was accorded great applause. The chairman here anmmced that Waipawa had sent down £2l, with a promise of more, a pronouncement that was heartily applauded. Mr. S. E. McCarthy, S.M., in proposing a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Hazleton for his eloquent,, instructive, and informing address on the question of Home Rule for Ireland, informed that, gentleman that supporters: in Napier would look forward to the establishment of the Irish Parliament. :; ; Mr. B. J. Dolan seconded the motion in a happy speech, and asked Mr. Hazleton to convey to the leader of the Irish Party the following message from them:—'.One in name and one in fame is the sea-divided Gael.' Mr. John Higgins also spoke to the motion, which was carried by acclamation. ; The chairman expressed the hope that " Mr. - Hazletou would bo member for Galway in 1914. On Mr. Hazleton's motion the chairman was accorded a vote of thanks. A collection made realised £35 lis 6d, which will, be added to the sum already subscribed, some £l5O. - VPJ'„ r>uril1 S his stay here Mr. Hazleton was the guest of Mr. F. Moeller, of the Masonic Hotel. . Mr. Hazleton spoke at. Taradale on Monday evening and had a splendid reception. A sum of £7O will probably be the response to the appeal. During "his visit he was the guest of Mr. G. P. Donnelly and Mr, T. H. Moynihan. V ~ Waimate /.", .Mr'.."A. Harris, secretary of the Waimate committee, informs us that the meeting there has been arranged for June 27, not June 23,, as previously notified. Wanganui (From oar own correspondent.) T Messrs. Redmond and Donovan addressed a very large meeting in the Opera House on Friday evening, May 19 His Worship the Mayor (Mr. C. E. Mackay) presided. Mr Hogan, MP., was also present on the stage, along with a considerable number of members of the local committee. Ihe speakers were given a capital hearing. , - ■--, m* Worship the Mayor, in introducing the speakers, said that although at this distant part of the Empire it was impossible to understand all the details involved in the question of Home Rule for Ireland, there seemed, on the surface, no reason why Home Rule should not be granted. lie also expressed appreciation of the persistent attitude or the Nationalist party. - - ; > MR. REDMOND'S SPEECH. i _ -Mr. Redmond was received with applause. He said that one could but feel inspired when speaking before such an audience.. Since the Envoys had set foot on Australasian soil the welcome had been almost amazing. It was some thirty years ago since the Irish Party had sent out the nrst delegation, consisting.of his father and his uncle. He compared their reception with that of the present delegates. limes were changed, and it was almost fashionable now to side with the Irish cause. The delegates would

scarcely be listened to thirty years" ago, but since then reforms had been made and conditions had changed. The Irish peasant was now in the greater portion of Ireland, the master of his own farm. The Irish artisan had now a better chance. But there still remained the paramount object of the party, which was formed thirty years ago, and that was an Irish Parliament. There were one or two things which had impressed themselves on him since his arrivil in New Zealand a fortnight ago. In every phase of thought and education the New Zealander was an up-to-date gentleman.. With such an enlightened audience he thought there was no need to go into the question in detail. Home Rule had been the shuttlecock and the turning-point in many elections at Home. In New Zealand, he understood, it sometimes occurred that a man had to declare in favor of or against Home Rule for Ireland. In New Zealand, upon almost every occasion, they had been Welcomed by all creeds, and the Mayor, as in the present case, a nonIrishman and a non-Catholic, had, in many cases, presided. Ireland did not object to being ruled by the British monarchy; they were in sympathy with the King of England, and with the democracy. 'Home Rule was now the same Home Rule as that preached by Is'aac ■.. Butt and C S. Parnell, and it to-day meant, nothing more than that the people of Ireland wished to manage their own affairs and have the right to mould the destinies of their future. Home Rule did not mean separation.' It was nothing -but that the Protestant and Catholic—should have the right to govern their own affairs, and leave Imperial matters to be treated by the Imperial Parliament. They had been twitted with not being supporters of the Empire but they supported the true democracy of the Old Country. Mr, Redmond went on to enumerate certain measures which the party claimed to be responsible for," introduced for the benefit of the people of England. It was absurd to say that they had a quarrel with the democracy. Mr. Redmond then went on to deal with statements which appeared a few days before in the Wanganui Chronicle regarding Home Rule, and Mr. John Redmond's alleged views on the subject in the past as compared with the present. For hundreds of years (said Mr. Redmond) Ireland had had a Parliament of its own. Were Irishmen inferior to other men in any country They were leading men in politics, trade, and professions. If freedom was granted to Canadians, Boers, and Maoris, why not to Irishmen The speaker concluded by expressing the hope that when next he came to New Zealand Home Rule would be in force. MR. DONOVAN'S ADDRESS. Mr. Donovan met with a very hearty reception. After -thanking the Mayor for presiding, Mr. Donovan went on to say that Home Rule simply meant giving to the Irish people the government of their own domestic concerns. This was claimed on two grounds. In the first place, the Irish people had had their own Government from 1295 to 1800, when it was taken from them by bribery and corruption, which, according to Mr. Gladstone, constituted the blackest page in English history. The Parliament was practically co-ordinate and practically equal in every respect to the Parliament enjoyed by the English people. The la.st Irish Parliament was Grattan's —a purely Protestant Parliament in what was largely a Catholic country. Let me say this to the bigots who make so much noise,' said Mr. Donovan, ' we don't care if we have an Irish Parliament of Protestants so long as it is an Irish Parliament. What we object to is rule from outside. There is no question of religion in this political fight for our race. I wish to-night to issue this challenge to those who have been conducting correspondence in the newspapers: I ask them to point to a single line in any great English history where is pointed out that Irish people persecuted their countrymen because of conscience. In dark and evil days, when persecution was rampant throughout the world, Ireland was. the one spot where intolerance or persecution did not exist.' From 1800 till to-day, it was found that with the exception of Daniel O'Connell and Mr. John Redmond, every Irish leader had been an Irish Protestant. Three armed bands had arisen— led by Irish Protestants. Then, later down the century, there was the band of young men who included Thomas Davis (the great Protestant poet and orator), John Mitchell, John Martin, and others, all Protestants. Who founded the movement in 1872? Isaac Butt (another great Irish Protestant) and Charles Parnell. Surely no one would say they would throw themselves into ! a movement for the liberty of the Irish people, if it would mean the persecution of Protestants. In the party represented by Mr. Donovan were twelve to fourteen Protestants. In Donegal 95 per cent, of the people were Catholics, yet they returned two Protestant members. In Belfast Lord Pirie, head of the great shipbuilding firm of Harland and Wolff, who paid out £30,000 a week in wages, was a strong advocate of Home Rule. The question wasWill Home Rule be a good thing for Ireland? Let that be discussed quietly and dispassionately as an Imperial problem. The people of Ireland were asking for the same privileges as were enjoyed by New Zealanders. Mr. Donovan pointed to the high position in the Empire held by Irishmen, and contended that, physically and intellectually they were not inferior to their rulers. He then spoke of the lying cables which were sent to the colonial press regarding Ireland, which was made to appear t a hotbed of crime, whereas crime in the country was only equal to that in one county in England. In conclusion, Mr. Donovan said the salvation of the British Empire would be

in an "Imperial Parliament/ to which all parts of the. Empire would send delegates, the English Parliament dealing simply with home affairs^ ■ On resuming his seat Mr. Donovan was long and loudly applauded. On the motion of Mr. Hogan, seconded by Mr.-T. B. Williams, it was unanimously resolved'.That this large meeting of Wanganui residents is of opinion that self-government should be extended to Ireland, and that the necessary legislation should be introduced at the earliest possible moment.'" The collection taken up at the meeting, together with the sum in the hands of the executive committee, amount to over £2OO, with more to come in. Hawera .; (From our own correspondent,) About four weeks ago the Very Rev. Father Power called together all those interested in the Home Rule question, and a very enthusiastic meeting was the result. A strong executive was set up, with Messrs. B. McCarthy and O'Dea as joint secretaries, and Mr. E. Cullinan as treasurer. On the occasion of the visit of Messrs. Donovan and Devlin, Hawera included Manaia, Patea, Eltham, Kaponga, and Opunake, but this time Hawera is without their assistance. During the past three weeks the executive have been laboring very, hard so as to bring their work to a successful issue, and here I would like to mention that the organising hand of Very Rev. Father Power was prominent throughout. ■■-'■■■■■.". On Sunday last the Irish Envoys made their formal visit to this town. The previous evening Messrs. Donovan and Redmond addressed a very enthusiastic meeting at Patea, and the Hibernian Society, having been entrusted with the first reception, about fourteen members of the local branch, together with the joint secretaries of the general committee and Very Rev. Father Power, motored to Patea. and brought the delegates on to Hawera, where they were afterwards entertained at Mr. Gormley's Egmoht Hotel, whose guests the delegates were during their stay in Hawera. To attempt to give a detailed report of the delegates' reception and their meeting in Hawera would take too much space. On Monday the Envoys were entertained at luncheon by Very Rev. Father Power, and at dinner by Mr. F. C. Gormley, after which the long-looked-for meeting was held in the Opera House. . The meeting was the largest of its kind ever held in Hawera, and long before the hour of opening, hundreds had to be refused admittance. The chair was occupied by Mr. B. McCarthy. On the platform, in addition to Messrs. Redmond and Donovan, were the Very Rev. Father Power (Hawera), Rev. Fathers Bergin (Manaia), and Duffy (Patea), Messrs. O'Dea, F. McGuire, Strack, and Rev. Mr. Cassells (Anglican). Mr. McCarthy introduced the speakers in a verv able manner, after which Messrs Redmond and Donovan delivered very stirring addresses, being continually applauded throughout. The 6ther speakers were Very Rev. Father Power (whose speech was referred to as a literary gem by Mr. Donovan), Messrs. McGuire, O'Dea, and Rev. Mr, Shore. All the speeches were frequently applauded. The Hawera Star devoted about ten columns to their speeches, and last night the following short paragraph appeared in that paper —' The Irish delegates' meeting on Monday evening from every point of view was a distinct success. The speaking generally was. of a high order, quite an intellectual treat, and if the delegates came to give inspiration they in turn cannot have failed to receive it. The addresses of the local speakers were not only enthusiastic in snirit but were distinguished for their grace of eloquence and delightful imagery. Our Irish friends may well be congratulated on their loyalty to their Motherland, on their spirit 'of nationality, on their self-sacrifice. New Zealanders generally, we are sure, will be glad to see an end of the strife that has embittered the past and a realisation of the hopes and promises of the delegates in respect of the future. , During the evening a collection was taken up in the hall, and generously supported by the audience. After the meeting the delegates were entertained at a banquet at which there were about 50 present. A long toast list was gone through, the principal being 'lrelanda Nation,' proposed by Mr. O'Dea, and responded to by Mr. Donovan, whose reply has since been referred k to as' a masterpiece. Other toasts were proposed and responded to by Very Rev. Father Power and Rev. Father Duffy, and Messrs. Redmond, McCarthy, Strack, Bunting, and Hooker. '.:_." " On Tuesday Fathers" Power and Bergin and Mr. O'Dea took the Envoys for a motor drive. The party were entertained at luncheon by Father Bergin at Manaia, and at afternoon tea by Mr. F. McGuire, of Okarawa. On Tuesday evening the young ladies gave a reception in honor of Messrs. Donovan and Redmond. Very Rev. Father Power presented - each delegate, on * behalf of . the ladies, with a silver and greenstone paperknife. On Wednesday the delegates were the guests of the Egmont Racing Club, and in the evening they were again entertained by Very Rev. Father Power at dinner. On Monday afternoon the delegates were received by Mr. Strack in the State school, where they addressed 600 children who had given them a hearty welcome. '-"■ .-.■■■• ■>■ : ■

~ , On Thursday morning Messrs. Donovan and Redmoni get a very hearty send-off at the railway station, amongst those present were Very Rev. Father Power, Rev. Father Berlin, Messrs. Bunting, McCarthy, O'Dea, Ryan, and others. Christchurch ;-.-..-. (From our own correspondent.) The local committee in connection with the visit to Christchurch of the Irish Delegates met on last Tuesday in the Catholic Clubrooms, Mr. 11. H. Loughnan presiding. The secretary (Mr. E. O'Connor) reported on the arrangements for the public meeting in the Theatre Royal on next Thursday, May 25, which, he said, were well advanced in every department. A communication was received from Mr. M. Kennedy, Wellington, to the effect that it was arranged that the Envoys should remain in Christchurch until Saturday night, the 27th inst. The Committee decided to entertain the Envoys to dinner at their hotel on that evening. A great amount of detail business was transacted, and a decision arrived at to invite a number of prominent citizens and Home Rule sympathisers to seats on the platform. On the day of their arrival the Envoys are to be the guests of his Lordship the Bishop and Very Rev. Father Price,, Adm., at the episcopal residence. The approaching visit of the Irish Home Rule delegates was mentioned last Monday evening by the Mayor, who said that a civic welcome had been suggested, and he would like to have the Council's will on the matter. In Wellington a formal welcome had been given at noon. He would take a motion on the subject, or if there were no motion he would take it for granted that no welcome was desired. On the motion of Councillor Hunter, who said that no political bias could be shown in the matter, it was resolved to" grant tho request for a civic reception. Owing to the inclusion of a number of additional country centres in the Envoy's tour of Canterbury by recent application, it has been found necessary to somewhat altar the date and order of meetings from that appearing in last week's Tablet. The Canterbury itinerary which may be now regarded as definite, supplied by the local secretarv, Mr. E. O'Connor, is as under: —Christchurch, Thursday May 25; Lincoln, Friday, May 26; Rangiora, Friday, June 16: Ashburton, Saturday, June 17; Temuka, Monday, June 19; Timaru, Tuesday, June 20; Albury, Wednesday, June 21; Leeston, Thursday, June 22; Cheviot, Fridav, June 23; Hawarden, Saturday, June 24; Geraldine, Monday, June 26; Waimate, Tuesday, June 27; Pleasant Point, Wednesday, June 28. The final preparatory meeting of the committee is to be held this evening, and a record success of tho Envoy's visit to this city seems assured. Auckland By telegraph from our own correspondent.) The interest in the forthcoming visit of the Irish Envoys continues unabated; the executive committee is working most zealously, and the results are sure to prove very handsome. A ladies' committee was formed yesterday and immediately set to work. Meetings have now been arranged for Waiuku, June 5, and for Rotorua either June 10 or June 12. The correspondence columns of the morning paper continue to contain the usual Unionist arguments of disentegration, civil war, foreign rule, all of which advertises effectually the Envoy's mission. Pleasant Point (From our Timaru correspondent.) In order to secure a visit of the delegates to Pleasant Point Mr. C. Byrne, with characteristic generosity guaranteed the £SO necessary to get a meeting here. A meeting was held in the Public Hall on Thursday evening last, Mr. J. Crawford presided, and there was a representative attendance. It was • unanimously decided to invite the delegates to visit the Point, and Mr. C. Byrne was appointed treasurer, and Mr. F. Nelhgan, secretary of the executive committee. About £4O was collected in the hall. The Rev. Father Fay was the convenor of the meeting, and under his guidance the affair promises to be a financial success. . . . ■ ..■-;.;■ Dunedin A meeting of the executive committee in connection with the forthcoming visit of the Irish delegates" to Dunedin was held on Monday evening. Rev. Father Coffey, in the absence of the Hon. J. B. Callan, M.L.C., was voted to the chair. _ .■-'.•' ■•' The rev. chairman explained that since the last meeting he had been. in communication with Mr. M. Kennedy. Wellington, who intimated that Mr. Hazleton would speak at Pleasant Point on June 28, whilst Messrs. Redmond and Donovan would reach Christchurch from the West Coast on June. 26 or 27. It was resolved to have the Oamaru meeting on June 30, and to hold the Dunedin meeting on Monday, July 3, in the Garrison Hall. It was decided to leave the arrangement of dates for other centres in Otago and Southland to the chairman and the seeretarv, who were also empowered to arrange matters of detail in connection with the local meeting. ' :\ '1 ;

The next meeting of the. committee was fixed-for Monday evening, June 5. ~. \^,-....~-^£ : ->-:,;.; -J : v Oamaru -. ''•;:'■ || ■ > -' ~ v v.; ?. (From oar own correspondent.) }A ?. ; A meeting of the committee and sympathisers in connection with the visit of the Home Rule delegates was held in tot. Patrick's schoolroom on Ma-v 22. Mr P J Duggan, m the absence of the Right Rev. Mgr. Mackay,' was voted to the chair. The secretary announced that in all probability the delegates would arrive here on Juno dU. It was resolved that the names of those subscribing to the _ cause be published in both daily papers as the lists come m. The following names were added to the committee : —Messrs. C. Livingstone, T. Y. Duncan, E. Evans, W. Gardiner Hon G. Jones, G. Glen, A. G. Creagh, R Milhgan P. C. Hjorrmg, W. G. Grave, A. Mackay,: 'and 15. Christie. The ; collectors reported good progress in town and country A sub-committee, consisting of Messrs. J Cooney, T. O'Grady, P. Corcoran, J. B. Graved T. Mansell, P. J. Duggan, and F. Cooney, was appointed to make ariangements for the reception of the delegates, ihe sub-committee -meets on Tuesday, May 30. Taradale \ %■ • w. tb ° Oddfellows' Hall, Taradale, on Monday evenmg, May lo Mr. R. Hazleton. M.P., gave an address" on Home Rule (says the Napier Daily Telegraph). Mr G A. Macdonald presided and on the platform were Messrs! T £»P% ?' Dlbe V H n, la , Simson > G - P - Donnelly, T. Lawton, K. Tareha, B. J. Dolan, John Higgms, T. Higgins, Very Rev. Dean Smyth, and Rev. Father lymons. The chairman introduced the speaker to ' his audience, and on rising Mr. Hazleton was received with applause. Mr Hazleton's address was ; mainly on the same lines as those delivered in other centres At its conclusion on the motion of the Very Rev.*Dean Smyth seconded by Mr H. lan Simson, Mr. Hazleton was accorded three - hearty cheers for his" address. The chairman was accorded a vote of thanks on the motion of Mr. Hazleton, and the meeting terminated. A pianoforte solo was given by Mr. B. Ryan, a student at St. Mary's, during the evening, .«•< ' & Oiautau The Rev Father Murphy announced on Sunday last at Otaiitau, that the Home Rule Delegates were in New Zealand lor the purpose of collecting funds for the Home Rule movement. He was sure the people of this district who, with the rest of the Dominion, were in the enjoyment of self-government, would do all in their power to enable the people of Ireland to gain that end. Immediately after Mass a meeting was held, when Mr. Richard Forde who, though not belonging to the Catholic party, is a firm Home Ruler, was voted to the chair. This is only one of many instances that go to prove that the movement is not a Catholic one, for in the ranks of the party are many paunch Protestants, and history points to such men as Theobald ttolfe Tone, Davis, Mitchell, Butt, Parnell, and others, who had done yeoman service for their country. The chairman said he appreciated the honor highly and the kindly sentiments expressed. He always looked upon the movement, at Home and abroad, as not belonging to any particular church. The primary object, no doubt, of the visit of the delegates, was to collect funds/ but the people of the district should be made to understand that these able young orators-were coming to enlighten them on the workings and progress 'of this great movement. r k) -o^ r 'x Horan was appointed secretary, and Mr. M. U linen treasurer. A strong committee, consisting of Messrs. I rendergast J. Forde, A. Bulman, W. O'Connor ,W. McNamara, S.and' D. McAfee, W .Burke, M. O'Brien, P. 9 0r fe T T c - Donahue, E. Joyce, W. Mockler, M. Sullivan, A. 0 Keefe, T, Dwyer, P. and- J. Clifford. B. Fahey, J. Geary and E. Deegan (Oraki) was formed. The chairman thought it would be a good idea to open a subscription list and the handsome sum of £4O was promised.' A "hearty vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the meeting