THE LATE MR. W. H. K. REDMOND, M.P.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 142, 15 June 1917, Page 7

THE LATE MR. W. H. K. REDMOND, M.P.

AN APPRECIATION. (By M. J. SHEAHAN.) In the grey elawn or a morning.in the fall of the winter of 1883 1 had tlie pleasure of welcoming to Auckland the late Mr. W. 11. lv. Redmond. He had then just emerged from bis 'teens, and possessed all the ardour and enthusiasm of youth, though he had already experienced the rigours of the prison cell and the plank bed. The Irish struggle in the early eighties was much misunderstood. Amonj*— British people it ivm considered one of disloyalty and dismemucrinient of the Empire, iience throughout the whole of Australasia the bitterest opposition was shown to the brothers John E. and \V. 11. K. Redmond'. The Press jrenerally and public men mostly eschewed them: public halls were denied them. They " broke the ice "on the Irish question in these parts, and it was a task which nc«lcd strong wills anil s.tout hearts. Now it seems incredible, but it was a fact, that the majority ot the people fondly imagined that the. Redmond hrothei's were typical of the Irish men portrayed in the music halls ot London. Their surprise was the greater when they discovered that the Rediiionds were not lire-eaters nor anarchists, but gentlemen in every sense, highly cultured, polished orators, and men with whom it was an honour and a privilege to associate. Aristocrats by birth and training, they had thrown themselves across the path of the so-e-alled owners of the soil, and stood in the forefront of the battle waged by the peasantry of Ireland. Ireland was to apeak, und live again, and that she did

.-o, ami with effect, the ameliorative legislation of the last quarter of a century affords ample proof. That which in the early stages of the fight for "the land for the people " was designated robbery and confiscation, was subsequently made statute law by those who had savagely hurled the wicked designation. Such was the power of a people who arose in their might and anger after centuries of serfdom. In that awakening Willie Redmond played a Herculean put. On his return from Australasia to Ireland he threw himself into the tight. Under successive Governments he was thrown into prison, and suffered numerous and long terms of imprisonment. He always emerged more defiant and determineel than ever, a veritable Boanerges. By the people he was loved; by their oppressors lie. was hated and dreaded. The battle for the land was won, and with it a calmer and saner atmosphere pervaded. Gladstone, in the evening of his life, espoused the cause of self government for Ireland, and with him was associated a grcut English party. In every part of Crca: Britain William Redmond's eloquent voice pleaded his j country's cause. He was now blessed where formerly he was cursed. His last appeal in the House of Commons, garbed in khaki, and smattered with the mud of the trenches, for unity amongst Irishmen was one of the most touching and soul-stirring yet delivered at Westminster. Will it pass unheediHl? At his period of life, when rest and comfort should, after his tempestuous passage, be his allotment he buckled on the armour of youth, and instead of tho serenity of his home, he embraced the cohort. Why? To light for the liberty of smaller nations, in which he included his own Dark Rosaleen. At Messines he gave his life for her; unlike his illustrious countryman. .Snrsficld, two centuries ago, also in Flanders, who, taking a handful of blood flowing from his wounded side, exclaimed in his agony. "Oh, God, that this were for Ireland!" Willie Redmond will remain tre>as,urcd in tho hearts of his countrymen and countrywomen, as well as in the memory of all who value liberty and who uppraiso love of country and virtue.