The Irish Envoys in Queensland

New Zealand Tablet, 31 August 1911, Page 1713

The Irish Envoys in Queensland

The Irish envoys initiated their campaign in Queenland by addressing a splendid meeting in the Exhibition .Building, Brisbane. The Mayor presided; and the platform was occupied by prominent citizens, members of Parliament, and a number of ladies. The Irish delegates, Messrs. R. Hazleton, M.P., W. Archer Redmond, M.P., and J. Donovan, each received an ovation. ..' • t . At the conclusion of the addresses, Mr. Denham, Premier, moved— That this meeting of 'Queensland citizens tenders a hearty welcome to the Irish envoys, and congratulates the Irish Party" on ' the splendid manner in which, under the leadership of Mr. John Redmond, they have struggled for autonomy; and we express the hope that Ireland will receive that measure of self-government which Queensland enjoys.' Mr. Denham referred to Drummond's administration in Ireland. Drummond's administration might be taken as a prophecy of the administration of Ireland under Home Rule. Ireland's fight to-day was Queensland's fight the other day, in connection with the referendum and Home Rule for Queensland. It had been said again and again that Home Rule was synonymous with Rome Rule,' but he thought the speakers that night had shown that it was a fallacy. m The motion was then put to the meeting, and carried unanimously. Mr. Hazleton,.in moving a vote of thanks to the chairman, expressed the hope that at the next Imperial Conference there would be an additional Prime Minister, and that he would be John Redmond. Following on the appeal for funds to further the cause, collections were taken from the audience, and so generous was the response that no less than .£415 was raised in this manner, and a further sum, the amount of which had not been ascertained, had been promised. The Irish envoys were entertained at lunch at Parliament House on the following day by the Premier and Cabinet Ministers. The Speaker and the Leader of the Opposition were also present. The same evening they were the guests of the Irish Association at 1 smoke concert, at which Mr.. P. J} McDermott (UnderSecretary to the Chief-Secretary) presided over a large attendance, including many prominent Irishmen