IMPROVED CONDITIONS IN IRELAND

New Zealand Tablet, 20 May 1915, Page 39

IMPROVED CONDITIONS IN IRELAND

After a twelve months’ holiday in Europe Rev. Fathers Lynch, Hayes, and Gilroy returned to Western Australia last month. They were accorded a welcome home on arriving at Fremantle, and in replying to the remarks of the speakers, Father Lynch said;With regard to Home Rule, it seemed to be doubted by some people that the Prime Minister (Mr. Asquith) would push on with the matter. They at home realised that Mr. Asquith had had to contend with a good many difficulties in his own Cabinet, but the feeling in Ireland was one of confidence in the Prime Minister. The delay in putting into effect the Home Rule Bill was inevitable under the circumstances, and who could tell but what the delay had not been for the best. The old animosities which had existed were now practically dead. The people were unanimous in supporting the policy of Mr. Redmond in regard to his attitude on the Home Rule question, and also on the war. They had been present at Mr. Redmond’s meeting in Dublin, when he was accorded a tremendous reception, but scarcely more enthusiastic than that which was accorded Mr. Asquith just previously in that city. Referring to the war he said that the feeling in Ireland was that it could have but one ending, and that ending must be favorable to the Allies. Belgium had to be restored and Louvain avenged. The recruiting in Ireland was being carried on at a greater rate proportionately than in any other part of the United Kingdom. ‘ The condition of Ireland to-day,’ said the Rev. Father Hayes, during the course of his response, ‘is fully 75 per ceijt. better than it was 12 years ago, outwardly at any rate. The hovels which had brought the blush of shame to the faces of many an Irishman living abroad, are now a thing of the past. ; Since they

had secured their measure of i Home f ßule, the s County. Councils have had these places eradicated, and / now everywhere there are to be seen comfortable cottages. The condition of the farmers has improved wonderfully,’ and they were just as well ioff in the matter *of social" comfort as any other farmers in the world.' '■■■ T