THE IRISH ENVOYS IN SYDNEY

New Zealand Tablet, 17 August 1911, Page 1571

THE IRISH ENVOYS IN SYDNEY

WELCOMED BY CARDINAL MORAN

xxr The Irish envoys, Messrs. R. Hazleton, M.P., W - A. Redmond, M.P., and J. T. Donovan, who left Wellington on July 28, arrived in Sydney on August 1. As they, stepped off the steamer on to" the wharf they were greeted by a band of prominent Irish citizens. They then drove to the Hotel Australia, and later were entertained at luncheon by his Eminence the Cardinal at St. Mary's Cathedral Presbytery. The luncheon to the envoys at St. Mary's Presbytery was, of course, presided over by his Eminence the Cardinal, Messrs. Hazleton, Redmond; and Donovan occupying the places of honor on either side of him at the head of the table. Amongst the guests were District Court Judge* Edmunds, Sir William P. Manning, Hon. John Meagher and Dr. J. B. Nash' M's.L.C, Major P. W. Fallon (Officer Commanding Irish Rifles), Mr. P. McGarry, M.L.A., Dr. C. McCarthy, and several ; of the clergy. His Eminence Cardinal Moran congratulated the envoys on the success of their mission so far, and wished it increasing success in its continuance. In olden times it was said that nothing succeeded like success. Already they had met with unparalleled success, and, entering on their mission in Queensland and the other States, he was sure they would receive the same enthusiastic welcome and ever increasing funds as had characterised their itinerary through New Zealand. It was not surprising that such success would attend their campaign, as they were advocating a cause which had, not only the sympathy of the Irish race, the sea-divided Gael, the whole world over, but the sympathy and confidence of all the enlightened nations of the present day. And not only were they advocating a great cause, but they were the representatives of the Irish Parliamentary Party, whose advocacy of that noble cause had won the applause of Christendom. It was a wonderful thing to see how in' the ages succeeding the apostolate of St. Patrick, that little island of the West, so small

in its material dimensions and population, had awakened the admiration of the world for its attainment of the highest ideals that enlightenment and religion could inspire, and was saluted as the island of saints and scholars. At a later period, when the old civilisation of Europe was Sampled in the duso by the barbarian invaders from the northern forests, it was from Ireland that agents went forth to sow the seeds of enlightenment and civilisation in those lands which to-day were inhabited by the greatest nations of Christendom. Charlemagne, one of the wisest emperors the world had seen, said that the whole Irish nation seemed to be pouring out its population to the shores of France, and restoring to their former glory those States that had been reduced almost to barbarism. Later still, when the days.of persecution came, Ireland became a nation of martyrs, winning not only the admiration, but the reverence of Europe, which could not restrain the expression of its astonishment at the heroism which Ireland manifested in upholding its religion and patriotism. Again, at the present moment, the eyes of the whole world were turned towards Ireland in admiration of the resurrection of the country after a thousand years of oppression and humiliation. No country during the past hundred years had made

Such Wonderful Progress in Every. Field

as Ireland had. Compare the Ireland of a hundred years ago with the Ireland of to-day, and it seemed two distinct countries. The influence of the Irish race the world over had increased in a corresponding degree. Speaking of this contrast, one of the members of the present House of Commons said a hundred years, ago the Irish people had as little to say in the management of their own affairs as a community of mice would have if administered by a-community of cats. However, he thought the tables had been turned, and now it was the mice who were administering affairs. This wonderful change they owed almost entirely to the heroic devotedness and spirit of sacrifice of the Irish Parliamentary Party, who, in Parliament and out of it, had kept, and were keeping, the cause up. He was delighted to find the envoys of that party in their midst to, plead the cause of Ireland. In other days they sang ' Come back to Erin,' but to-day, addressing the delegation of the Irish Party, it was ' Come back to Australia, and the.oftener you come the more welcome will you be. We may not be always able to give you as much as we would wish, but you will always have the fullest sympathy of our Irish people in Australia, and of all wellwishers of progress and enlightenment amongst us.' The Cardinal went on to say that he thought the Irish Party had shown the most singular activity, energy, independence, and whole-hearted and invincible devotedness to the cause of Ireland. It was incorruptible in the matter of the bribes a great government offered its members, who, at the same time, could not be terrified by the threats which accompanied those bribes They had proved themselves inflexibly resolved that Ireland's wrongs should be righted, and the Irish people in Australia were heart and hand and pocket with them. Indeed, he thought if they gave up the cause at home they would find that the people of Australia would continue to assert the right of Ireland to her own Parliament, and would not be satisfied until that blessing was won

District Court Judge Edmunds, Sir William Manning, Dr. McCarthy, Hon. John Meagher, M.L.C., and Mr. P. McGarry, M-.L.A., all expressed the sentiment of welcome to the envoys, Dr. McCarthy saying that ht was sure there would be organisation, and that all would put their shoulders to the wheel to gather funds for the envoys, to supply them with the sinews of war necessary for the last great effort towards Home Rule for Ireland. ' s The-Cardinal, in proposing the health of the vis! tors', assured them that every aid would be given them to achieve the final triumph of their mission in Australia.

Messrs. Hazleton, Redmond, and Donovan thanked his Eminence Cardinal Moran and those present for the kindly and warm-hearted Irish and Australian welcome which had been given them. They had been deeply

touched by the kindness", and enthusiasm which they had met with in New Zealand, and they felt that the same warm-hearted, kindly welcome awaited th-3m in Australia. '