The Irish Envoys in South Australia

New Zealand Tablet, 14 December 1911, Page 2519

The Irish Envoys in South Australia

The tour of the Irish envoys in this State (says the Southern Cross of November 24) opened most auspiciously in Adelaide last week, when they were given a civic reception, in which representatives of all classes and parties took part, and addressed a great meeting in the Exhibition Building at which £350 was raised. The enthusiasm which marked their advent in Adelaide has followed them throughout the country, and highly successful gatherings have been held in Petersburg, Broken Hill, Jamestown, and other country centres. It was unfortunate that the envoys encountered a severe heat wave on their journey to the northern centres, which had the effect cf disabling Mr. Donovan in Broken Hill and laying Mr. Hazleton aside with influenza at Hammond. As a consequence some rearrangement had to be made in the programme, and some of the centres will be disappointed at not hearing two envoys, as originally arranged. However, the central committee had to do the best possible under the circumstances, and it only remains for the local committees to second their efforts loyally and make the best of things. It is impossible to estimate yet the amount that will be raised in this State but, judging by the splendid results in Adelaide, it will considerably exceed the sum raised during the tour of Messrs. Devlin and Donovan five years ago. On that occasion over £IOOO was collected in this State and in Broken Hill, and the sum despatched to Ireland, after deducting expenses, was not far short of £IOOO. Since then two amounts of £IOO each have been raised and sent, to the trustees in Dublin‘on the occasion of the last two general elections. In proportion to population, South Australia has always done her fair share in raising money for Home Rule or any other good cause; and we feel sure that she will not be found wanting on this occasion.