"EARLY DAYS OF HOME RULE-"

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 246, 17 October 1893, Page 5

"EARLY DAYS OF HOME RULE-"

That Ireland and her people are interesting subjects to many in thia city was amply evidenced last evening, when, notwithstanding the boisterous and threatening state of the elements, there was a crowded audience at St. James's Hall, the- occasion being a lecture on the "Early Daya-of Homo Rule," by Mr J. P. McAlister, under the auspices of the Irish National Federation League. O.i the platform were the Hon. \V. McCullough, M.L.C., Messrs T. Thompson and J. M. Sliera, 11,HK.'«, J- Campbell, W. J. Hapior, M. J. Shoehan and W. Boehan. A larpa and life-like drawing of the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone was displayed in the frond of the platform, and attracted considerable attention. It was kindly lent for the occasion by MrHiggins, of Nottingham House. MrJ. A. Tole presided, and in opening tho proceedings he referred with pleasure to the large gathering. It showed (ho said) the sympathy of the people of this parb of tfao colony and a determination to accord to the cause material support, especially at this critical time in Irish history—at the crisis when Great Britain had engaged in the final strugglo for tho regeneration of Ireland. He exhorted hia hoarera to contribute fcowarda tho fund. Mr McAliater, in opening his lecture, refarred to the state of Ireland in 1870, when the idea of Home Rnlo waa (irst conceived. Ireland was then in what raiirht be called a state of absolute political chaos. One section of tlie nation was trying to obtain tho releaseofFenian prisoners, while the Orangewen were getting ready to fight when anyone had dared to grant Homo llule to tho country. It waa asked by tho majority of Irish politicians what good waa to bo oxpectod from the Union ? Thoy wanted it ropoaled, and tho men who wero ready to take up arms to gain that end wero chief!y i young fellows under tho prime of lifo. The aation was in a state of couiplote collapse. The outcome of this stato of things was that on 39th May, 1870, some 46 persons, moßtly Tories, held a meeting in a London Wei, for the purposo of representing to Her Majesty the extremely unsatisfactory awie of Ireland and thedesirability of VicoEoyal residence in Ireland, both from a political and financial point of viow. The men ab thia meeting, with one exception, had bub a hazy idea of what was really wanted. The exception waa Isaac Butt, who roao and moved an amendment! to the several feeble propositions, which made Mb companions stare aghast. , Ke moved, " That in the opinion of this meeting the true remedy for the evils of Ireland is the establi&bmonfc of an Irish Parliament), with full control ovor Irish affairs." That amendment was carried unanimously. Ever since, the struggle for freedom had been going on. Mr McAlister then enumerated those who had taken an ■active parb in the movement. Other meetings were held in 1870, and from then it was announced to the British nation that the Irish people had embarked to seek constitutional powers. Tho principles then advocated were at present incorporated in Mr Gladstone's Bill. The English Protmt'i measure was but a copy and amplification of the aims of tho ourly workers. His 1886 Bill was lost owing to it making no provision for Irish representation at Wostminster. Ib was simply to repeal the Union. His latosb Bill, however, which had passed its third reading iv the Houso of Commons, provided for Irish representation in tho English House. Mr ■WcAliater thon gave an autobiographical account of the men -,vho had been associated with the Home llule movement. He protented their characteristics in a light, sketchy, and very entortaining manner, which engaged tho undivided attention of n« auditors. Tho loud bursts of applause wiich greeted tho speaker at frequent intervals were eloquent tostimony to the inweab and sympathy which accompanied Ino narrative of tho early strugglos and troubles o.f the initiators of Irish Home Rule,

, Purinß the evening, several popular wish ballads were beautifully rendered by some of our most gifted singers. Mr John fuller sang "Tho Irish Emigrant" moat enectively, and, iv responso to an imperative encore, he simply captivated his nmhonco by a spirited rendoring of " Tho ■Hearing of the Ureon." Miss Lorrigan'B rendition of "The Lust Roso of Summer " was equally successful, and, being recalled, Job was further hoard to advantage in win, My Country." Miss Sullivan was in magnificent voice, and her strong, pure was given full piny in " Kathleen wavoorneen," with tho result that she had jo repoab the last verso. In the duet, With This Treasure Must I Part," from toei opera -'Lily of KUlarney," the voices oiiliaa O'Suljivuii and Mr Fuller bloncled exquisitely, and roused tho audience to entimstaem. Tho efforts could not have been too highly applauded, although, an tho ynairinau pwtinontiy remarked, "Irish *** were evidently appreciated." Ac the conclusion of the lecture, a donat'°.n °. f.£2 2s towards tho funds waa reLJlVeil from Mr Monty Brown, on behalf of wise Uargon, leoturess and elocutionist.