HOME RULE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1086, 27 March 1911, Page 8

HOME RULE.

RECEPTION TO MR, W. REDMOND, ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING OF SYMPATHISERS. As a result of the receipt of the cablegram last week by Mr. Martin Kennedy from Mr. J. Redmond, Loader of the Irish Home Kule parly, a meeting was convened yesterday afternoon in St. Patrick's Hall, presided over by Dr. C'ahill. The attendance was large.

After Mr. Kennedy had explained the nature of his cablegram which has already been published, and which announces the intended visit of Mr. AW. lsedmond, the chairman delivered on adilress.

Dr. Cahill said that before proceeding with the proper business of the meeting lid would say a few words on Home Rule, hncausa he knew, from his intercourse with men of all classes and grades in the community, that there was a good deal of misunderstanding as to what the Irish people, really wanted, and as to what would result if Home Rule were grantee!. He then touched on the definition of Home Rule—whit the Irish people meant by it. They simply wanted to manage their internal affairs themselves. They did not want to interfere with the Army or Navy, with Customs of the foreign policy of the Empire. • These were - Imperial questions, and as such they would remain to be dealt with by the Imperial Parliament at Westminster. In effect Home Rule would not confer upon Ireland a tithe of the political power and freedom which New Zealand enjoyed. It was not the object of Home Rulers to ill any way weaken the power of the Empire. . A Willing Unit. They wanted to come into the great toni'eueration as a willing unit, and under more equitable laws than they were living under at present. It was a popular fallacy that Ireland was governed by tho same laws as England and Scniland. Ho had tho greatest authority—that of the historian Leckio —for stating that almost every law concerning Ireland was an Act of special legislation applicable to her only, antagonistic to the wishes of her people. The result of all this legislation had been loss of wealth and population. Her population, once nine millions, had, within eixty years, been. reduced to a little under four millions. A Royal Commission had reported a fewyears ago that Ireland was taxed to-tho extent of two and three-quarter million starling a year moro than she was entitled to pay to tho Imperial Treasury. Homo Rule—Rome Rule. Amongst the objections to Home Rule, perhaps, tho most extraordinary was that Home Rule and Rome rule were synonimous terms. This was one of the catch phrases which had no truth in it, it was merely intended for British consumption. It was true that Rome had somelimes interfered in British politics, at the instigation of British Ministers. But it was also true that on these occasions she had not sunported tho interests of the Irish peoplef The first of these occasions was when the Irish people found out that Mr. Parnell's finances were in a very low condition, and they desired to raise a national fund to come to his assistance. It was proposed to give hija .£20,000. but, after ,£12,000 was obtained, subscriptions began to flag, and some fears were expressed that the sum originally intended would, not bo reached. A letter came- from. Rome advising the Mill people to,.liars nothing to do with the fund, and as: fnr as they could, to discountenance tho national testimonial. Nothing more fortunate could have hnp- ' pened, because, .on the publication of this letter, funds began raoidly to come in, and shortly Mr. Parnell was ablo to be presented with a magnificent testimonial of nearly .£IO,OOO. The Second Interferences, Tho second occasion (recently experienced) was tho rescript which followed Consignor Persico's ■ visit to . Ireland, which was repudiated by the majority of Irish Catholics. Again, who had bfeen the great leaders of the Irish people for over, a contury? With tho exceptions of O'Connel and Redmond they had h r Jm Protestants. The sneaker mentioned' the names of Grattou, Lord Edward Fitzgerald, Wolfe, Lane, EmmettyCurran, PluuI'.'.'t Davis, Smith O'Brien, and Parnell. Then look at tho present time. A large number of their Protestant fellow countrymen were members of the Irish party, fully elected. Witness tho last election of Captain Donellan for East Cork, and of Mr. Abrahams, a Protestant Cork man, for a Catholic constituency in Dublin. Some of the Catholic Home .Rulers of Ulster held their position to-day from the support ..they received from Presbyterian electors. This clearly showed that any attempt by English ministers to secure the" influence of Rome in Irish politics had beeu strongly met by the Irish people. The Tide Has Turned. But, concluded Dr. Cahill; under a.kindlier and more sympathetic administration —such as that of Lord Dudley, Sir Anthony Macdonald, and Mr. H. Plunkett, and,"to-day, such as that of Lord Aberdeen. Mr. Birrell and Mr. T. W. Russelltho tide had turned. The comfort and wealth of the people were enabling moro satisfactory progress to be made. They only wanted as a final act government._ by a native Government, and the dispelling of those misunderstandings nnd estrangements which had existed between Ireland and England so long. They could, then look forward to the formation of a great federal Empire having a willing and loyal support. He hoped that the delegates who were coming would have a reception tint would make their mission a success. This would bo the last occasion Irish members of Parliament would appeal to them for help, and he hoped that, notwithstanding the splendid contributions of the past, the financial results of this mission would amount to a sum that would be a credit to the lovers of freedom in this country, and a service to the cause at Home. (Applause.) A Misunderstanding. Father Goggan said he was sure tho chairman had not meant- anything by his insinuations in regard to Rome. Rome was a tyrant, but a iyrant for right and justice. She never did ought that \vas wrong. She had inviolable authority, and she never, dictated to any nation to persecute another, and she never stepped in the way of any nation that stood for freedom. Homo had never intended to interfere in tho politics of Ireland except for Ireland's good. He also spoke of the work the Catholic Church had done for Ireland. He declared they would win Homo Rule as the Catholic Church had always won with her justice and right. He explained that tho clergy were not present because a very important Chapter of tho Marist Brotherhood was being held. They, however, had sent him to see if they would do their best, to help forward the -movement, with which they were in hearty sympathy. Mr. Martin Kennedy said he was perfectly sure Dr. Cnhill's remarks were, not intended as a rcllectipn in the slightest degree on the attitude of tho Church towards its adherents in religious matters. Dr. Cahill also gave the tamo assurance, and (Hinted cases from a book by Michael Daviit to show that political interference from Rome in regard to Irish politics had been strongly resented by the Catholic archbishops. Mr, D, K'Laren, M.P. Mr. D. M'Lnren, M.P., also said a few words of sympathy with the Homo Rule cause. He had always supported Irish nationalism, and believed in it for Scotkiul nnd Wales. As a member of the Irish Nationalist League ho had been iu association with the men who were present in the room.

It was decided that tho meeting form itself into a committee to receive the delegates on their arrival in Wellington by (he liotorua on May 1, and to make the necessary arrangement for tlioir tour through New Zealand. A strong executive, with power to'add lo its numbers, was set ii]i. -Air. .1. L. Burke.'was'appointed secretary, 51 r. 11. J. Fitzgibbon assistant secretary, and Mr. -M. Kenuedy w.ns- appointed treasurer. Meeting subsequently, the executive went further into the preparations. It. was hoped to be able to announce, in a week or so, detailed decisions.

Tho delegates will probably address a Wellington" audience on Mjy 3 in the Town Eall»