SELF-DETERMINATION FOR IRELAND LEAGUE OF NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand Tablet, 25 August 1921, Page 23

SELF-DETERMINATION FOR IRELAND LEAGUE OF NEW ZEALAND

CONVENTION IN DUNEDIN. A Convention, having for object the advancement, of Ireland’s claims to he allowed to determine her own form of government, was held, under the auspices of the Otago (Provisional) Provincial Council of the Self-Determination for Ireland League of New Zealand, in Dunedin, on Friday, August 12. The president (Mr. T. J. Hussey) presided, .and the following-branches were directly repre-

sented: —Dunedin Central (members of the Provisional Council); Dunedin South, Mr. J. J. Marlow; North-east Valley, Mr. Harris; Otautau, Mr. T. A. Mooney; Outram, Allanton, and Holy Cross College, Rev. D. Silk: Riverton, Orepuki, and To Wae W'ae, Rev. Father Buckley; Roxburgh and Millers Flat, Rev. 1). O'Neill; Balfour, Mr. H. McLaughlin; Middlemarch, Mr. W. D. Mason; Mosgiel, Messrs. D. O'Brien and J. P. Walls; Invercargill, Mr. P. J. Kelly; Milton, Mr. J. P. Lynch; Riversdale, Mr. P. Cody; Mataura, Mr. L. Coonoy; Hyde, Mr. R. O'Connell; Wrey's Bush, Mr. L. Cody; Gore, Very Rev. P. O'Donnell; Port Chalmers, Mr. C. Connolly; Waikiwi and Rakahouka, Very Rev. J. O'Neill; Lawrence, Mr. M. Fahey; Oamaru, Mr. F: Cooney; Arrowtown, Mr. D. Beard; St. Bathans, Mr. W. Kenny. The delegates appointed for Rivcrsdale (Rev. W. Monaghan) and Hampden (Mr. M. -Joyce) wrote apologising for their inability to be present. At the request of Alexandra and Queenstown for the appointment of proxies, Mr. P. J. Byrne and Mr. J. Robinson represented those branches respectively. The returns of branch' membership revealed the very gratifying fact that a. large proportion of those enrolled are non-Catholics; one branch showing 75 per cent, and another 50 per cent., the president of the latter being an Englishman and a Protestant. In a brief address the president welcomed the delegates, and trusted their deliberations on matters tending to assist Ireland in her present struggles would prove helpful. It was very gratifying (he said) to see representatives present from some of the most distant districts of Otago and Southland. This went to prove how deep was the sympathy felt for tile Irish people, and how ardent was the desire to see their legitimate aspirations fully realised. Mr. Hussey expressed the hope that the present movement towards a satisfactory settlement of the Irish question would prove fruitful, but at the same time urged that there should be no slackening off in effort on. the part of our organisation.

At > the meeting of May 5 the following provisional council was set up and confirmed at a meeting on May 8: Patron, Right" Rev. Dr. Whyte; president, Mr. T. J. Hussey; hon. treasurer, Very Rev. J. Coffey; committee, Rev. Father Silk, Mesdames Baker, Jackson, Coughlan, Miss Duhig, Messrs. Shiel, Marlow, Robinson, Murrow, Whelan, and O'Neill; minute secretary, Mr. J. J. Wilson. Since this date the council has, for various reasons, lost the services of some of its original members, and has been fortunate in the addition of several valued helpers. The council as at present constituted is as follows: Patron, Right Rev. Dr. Whyte; president, Mr. T. J. Hussey; hon. treasurer. Very Rev. J. Coffey, acting-secretary, Mr. J. J. Wilson; committee, Rev. Father Silk, Mesdames Baker and Jackson, Miss A. Brennan, Messrs. C. A. Shiel, J. Robinson, H. Murrow, J. O'Neill, P. Wilson, D. Whelan, A. G. Neill, P. Cummins, 11. McStay, J. B. Callan, and Dr. Milligan.

The work of the provisional council was generally eulogised, a special tribute to the splendid work accomplished by Mr. Hussey as president being paid by Rev. Father Silk. As the provisional council would, from the date of the convention, cease to function, the formation of a provincial council was proceeded with by the election of the following office-bearers: Patron, Right Rev. Dr. Whyte, Bishop of Dunedin; president. Dr. Milligan; vicepresidents, Messrs. R. McStay and C. A. Shiel; hon. treasurer, Very Rev. Father Coffey; minute secretary, Mr. J. J. Wilson; committtee, - Mrs. M. A. Jackson, Miss A. Brennan, Rev. D. Silk, Messrs. J. B. Callan, J. Robinson, H. Murrow, D. Whelan, A. G. Neill, T. J. Hussey, J. J. Marlow, From the above it will be noted that both the new president and senior vice-president are non-Cath-olics of marked ability who have taken a great interest in the League's activities. It was unanimously decided to recognise 'the ladies' auxiliary as part of the League. Rev. Dr. Kelly and Messrs. J. B. Callan and H. Murrow were elected delegates to represent the Otago Provincial Council of. the Dominion Council to be held at Wellington, a proviso being adopted permitting delegates (if necessary) the right to nominate substitutes. The convention adopted a motion to the effect that a remit be sent to the Dominion Council urging the formation of juvenile branches of the League.

A heary vote of thanks to the chairman closed the proceedings of a memorable and most successful gathering.