IRELAND TO-DAY

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 288, 5 December 1932, Page 7

IRELAND TO-DAY

"PROSPEROUS FUTURE"

EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS.

FATHER HOIiBBOOK RETURNS

After an absence of eight months, the Rev. Father 11. F. Holbrook returned to Auckland by the Monterey this morning. With over 100 other New Zealaiulers, Father Holbrook visited Rome and then went on to Ireland to attend the 31st International Eucharistic Congress held in Dublin in June.

"It was a stupendous success," said Father Holbrook, in speaking of the Congress. "In one day a quarter of ft million men knelt in prayer around the altar erected in the centre of the 2000acre Phoenix Park, one of the most glorious in Europe. On tho second day 200,000 women assembled to worship. On the third day 100,000 children sang the Missa De Angelus. On the fourth day it was estimated that close on 1,500,000 gathered for the final Mass, procession and Benediction. For a brief space Ireland became a vast cathedral, vibrant with the prayers of millions." "Partition" a Blunder.

Great changes had come over Ireland since his last visit in 1913, said Father Holbrook. "In 1913 the country had been living in the certainty of Homo Rule coming in the following year. In 1914, however, had come the World War, and Home Rule for Ireland had been swamped. To-day Ireland is a sister Dominion, and as far as the Free State's jurisdiction extends she has far greater liberty than was ever contemplated under Home Rule," the Father declared. "But the unnatural partition of the country is the greatest blunder and injustice ever committed against Ireland since the eo-called Union, and there can he no peace between the North and South until the 'border disappears."

To Father,Holbrook, Ireland appeared tie country least, affected by the depression. "But for the present unfortunate estrangement between the two nations on either side of the Channel, Ireland would be the most fortunate of all the countries I visited," he said. For the first time since the disastrous famine years of 1846-57 emigration had ceased. The population had actually increased last year by 16,000, a fact that was due in part to the U.S.A. restrictions on immigration. At-the present time there was a more hopeful prospect in the country, and wealthy IrishAmericans were returning and settling in Ireland. Social conditions had much improved, and the Government this year had advanced £5,000,000 towards solving the housing problem and- had made loans up to four-fifths the cost of building. New Industries. "Of course, the workshops have long since disappeared," continued Father Holbrook. "Old age pensions • and national insurance, together with home assistance, have helped to make comfortable the lot of the poor and needy. Free luncheons and milk, and in some cases clothing, are given 'to the poorer children attending school. Owing to this year's new tariffs over 100 new industries have been started. Transport is good and the roads are excellent, concrete or tar-sealed. The railways are at present having a lean time, motor services throughout the country having captured most of the traffic. Tourist traffic is being developed and is well catered for. This year, which of course hae been exceptional,, it is estimated that over £4,000,000 was spent by tourists." '

The policy of the present Irish Government aimed at making the country self-reliant. No doubt there were party and political differences there, as elsewhere, but when the present dispute was eettled Ireland would have a prosperous future.