Self=Determination for Ireland League

New Zealand Tablet, 6 October 1921, Page 13

Self=Determination for Ireland League

The following, circular (in quantities for distribution among members of the' various branches) has been issued by the Otago Provincial Council of the Self-Determination for Ireland League: - : ;

* A FEW REFLECTIONS. The truce in Ireland is no reason why we should cease

our efforts.

Are we weary of well-doing, who have not suffered the heat and fatigue of conflict? Are there any wounded amongst us ?.

We might well be content if we had successfully accomplished our aim. It is written in our Constitution, but no one will say that our special task is at an end while so many of the people amongst whom we live are still unsympathetic to Ireland's cry for Self-Determination.

. The present time, which makes it easy for us to be content to do nothing, seems to us a greater test of our stamina and our clarity of purpose, than the dark days that went before. But it is imperative that our activity be suited to our aim. It may be a help to wise acting if we speak of some of the ideas that occur to us.

Our League now contains most Catholics and those other friends of Ireland who were easily won.

We may now remain in this position, or go back or forward.

Maintenance, we recognise, is never easy. We feel that we must go on, which leaves us with our most difficult task still ahead. Our task is now to convert those who are not easily converted.

Amongst the whole population we recognise three main groups—

1. Those favourable to anything that may be stated to be the election will of the majority of the Irish people.

2. Those favourable to non-coercion of Ireland, but with individual opinions as to what might be the wisest political solution. For example, some of these favour Republicanism, some Monarchism, some favour Dominion Settlement within the Empire, and some complete separa-» tion. Again some have reservations with regard to the treatment of Unionist Ireland, and others have no reservations at all.

3. Those favourable to the coercion of Ireland.

We point out that our constitutional aim stands on the middle ground. It does not commit us- to any particular solution. If we accept the aim of the League—'/To secure organised support for the right of the people of Ireland to choose freely, without coercion or dictation from outside, their own Governmental Institutions and their political relationship with other States and peoples," — then we may reasonably be helpful members of the League, no matter what particular views we may have as v regards political settlements. That is a common ground on-which many different opinions may meet.. We must be particularly easeful of this point, because, if not clearly grasped by all members, it is likely to make for disruption in our League; and we emphasise that no great movement can be carried out to a successful conclusion without the closest co-operation of all members.

If we act so as to estrange our friends, we can hardly expect to be successful with our opponents.

In this regard we think it unwise to over-stress before the public any particular solution, because — ;

(1) We should concentrate first on the main principle as stated.in our aim. If the public are unable to see the fairness of the principle of .Self-Determination they are hardly likely to go further and accept the detail of such settlement. On the other hand, if once they understand the reasonableness of Self-Determination, you have established a mental attitude which is not shocked at the particular settlement advocated, and which will not willingly use. force against such-a solution. ,A second reason, should be clear to all, and that is that a declaration at the polls to-day in one set of circumstances may be reversed .tomorrow in other conditions. All things are really determined "rebus, stantibus. .In which case-some' of us might be arguing fiercely for a' Republic to-day, and equally fiercely for a'Monarchy three months hence. v ' , '\ '*' <

2. In sum we emphasise that what is required is such

propaganda as will make the broad principle of a people's claim to Self-Determination seem just and reasonable to all. It is, not enough to be right, you must also seem right. ..... ' /.. • ...

-•■• Further we believe that no propaganda is as effective as the propaganda of example. To show that we possess not only a full knowledge of facts— not one set of facts only—but also a tolerance, tenacious in reasonableness and Christian charity towards our opponents, has to our way of thinking a better chance of winning adherents than any other way of procedure whatsoever. Perhaps we might recall Aesop's famous fable of the traveller attacked first by the turbulent .storm then by the genial sun. Kindness we think is the most dangerous propaganda of all. It disarms an enemy when hatred binds on accoutrements. Kindness cannot for long be replied to with hatred and vindictiveness. In the end it is unanswerable.

If our qbject is to pervade the electorate with sym-v pathy for Ireland’s claim we believe that no recruits will be won here by any other method. In saying this we do not forget that our Irish friends, exasperated beyond human patience, have succeeded remarkably in winning recognition though they met force with force. But recognition is not reconciliation; nor do we believe that force was their weapon of choice. Even there the triumph of force was only an apparent triumph for force. It would have come to nothing 'but for that not inconsiderable body of opinion in England, in the British Empire, in Europe, and notably in America, which saw sufficient justice in Ireland’s claim to cause the rulers to pause and forego the employment, if only for a time, of the full might of a military Empire. That cannot be gainsaid. This is not Ireland — methods are persuasion and the polls. As regards New Zealand, we have our function clearly before us, namely to maintain and increase that attitude of reluctance to make crude force the filial arbitrament. In a word our attitude should approximate to that /of the Pacifists in the late war, who were convinced by reason, as by moral scruple, of the futility of force in the attempted settlement of matters of intellect apd morality. We believe that the above reflections contain a fragment of that wisdom' expressed in the Sermon on the Mount wisdom greater than words, presaging the ultimate wisdom of man, —and we believe there is no better guide. Let us sum up what we regard as essential for all branches of the League: 1. Keep clearly before each member the constitutional aim of the League. 2. Remember that our particular duty is cohesion amongst ourselves and educational work amongst the others. 3. Frequent discussions of solutions are advisable amongst members. This helps to clarify your own ideas and makes you more able to meet the arguments of opponents. 4. In "no case can tho\League be committed beyond its aim. - 5. If any one, accepts the aim, then he. should be a member. There is no need to quarrel about particular solutions. Remember that your capacity to retain your friends is a, good index of your ability to convince your opponents. 6. You will do neither, unless you steep your words and your acts in kindness.

For unto the enemy, and unto his limbs doth it pertain to be sorrowful, but unto us always to rejoice and be glad in the Lord—St./ Francis'of Assisi. / 1 '