IRELAND AND THE EMPIRE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1097, 8 April 1911, Page 5

IRELAND AND THE EMPIRE.

MANIFESTO TO DOMINION PREMIERS. Br Telccraph—Press Association—OopyrieM London, April 6. A meeting of members of Irish Unionist clubs in Belfast decided to forward to tho overseas Premiers a manifesto expressing their determination to rc-. pudiato Homo Rule. MB, FISHER NOT TO BE DRAWN.. Melbourno, April 7. Mr. Fisher, the Federal Prime Minister, was asked regarding the cable message stating that tho Irish correspondent of "The Times" had written that it has not occurred to the fortytwo patriots on the Dublin Corporation that their conduct in refusing ■ to present an address to tho King on tlie Royal visit to Dublin had made a visit by tho Colonial Premier impossible. Mr. Fisher said ho know nothing of tho matter, and did not wish to discuss it.

WHEN THE KING WILL BE WELCOMED.' The Dublin Corporation, on April 3, decided by 42 votes to. 9 not to present an address to the King on the occasion of the Royal visit that is to take place after the Coronation. This is in consonance with the attitude taken up by the Irish Nationalist party, as defined in a manifesto issued in February "With deep regret," they declare, "wo am compelled to taj s lhat tho time has not yet come when we feel free to join with the other representatives of the King's subjects on this great occasion. Wc aro the representatives of p, country still deprived of its constitutional rights and liberties, and in a. condition of protest against the system of government under which it is compelled to live, and as such we feel wo have no proper place at tho Coronation of King George, and' would lay ourselves open to the gravest misunderstanding- by departing on' this occasion from the settled ■ policy -of our own party. "Entertaining, as >e do, the heartiest good wishes for tho King, and joining with the rest of his subjects in- the hope that ho may have a long and a glorious reign, and ardently desirous to dwell in amity and unitj with the people of Great Britain and the Empire, ,who, living under happier conditions than exist in our country, will stand round him at the ceremony of his Coronation, wo feel bound, as the representatives of a people who are still denied the blessing of selfgovernment and freedom, to stand apart and await vitli_ confident hopo the happier day of' Irish self-government, now close at hand. "We are suro our people will receive the luiig o/i his coming visit to Ireland with the generosity and hospitality which are traditional with tjie Irish race. "And, when tho day comes, that the King will enter the Irish capital to reopen the ancient Parliament of Ireland, we believe ho will obtain from tho Irish people a reception as enthusiastic as ever welcomed a British monarch in any part of his dominions."