THE IRISH ENVOYS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1191, 28 July 1911, Page 6

THE IRISH ENVOYS.

♦- ——- A FAREWELL. BANQUET IX TIllO TOWN HALL. There was a large attendance at the farewell banquet (in the Town Hall Concert ■Chamber last.evening) to the J risk Home Rule envoys. The gathering was organised by (he Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society of Wellington, and Bro. J. \\". (.'lillaghiin, District Deputy, presided. Among tluiso present were: The Acting-Prime Minister (Sir James Carroll;, Sir A. K. Guinii?s>, and Archbishop lieuwood. "The Pope and the King" was honoured, and the. toast of "Ireland a Nation" was proposed by' Mr. H. M'Kcown. Responding, Mr. J. T. Donovan, LL.B., : assured his audience that when the delegates returned to Ireland they would never forget the kindness shown them in New Zealand, nor the fact that they were about, to send them away with a cheque of nearly .£IO,OOO. (Loud applause.) Again and again -had the ctip of liberty been at their lips, and agaiu and again had it beeu dashed aside. He and his fellow delegates drank the toast that evening, therefore, with no ordinary feelings. It seemed likely that, in less than two years, Ireland would have her Parliament, and it would lie their pleasure to convey homo with them a statement that had been made to them in Wellington, that if a monument was erected.to him New Zealand would do her duty in helping in its erection. (Loud applause.) They had addressed some 73 meetings,which had been attended by all creeds ami classes in Nciv Zealand. (Applause.) In conclusion he' expressed especial gratitude to. a number of gentlemen, particularly to "the cardinal of their triumph in New Zealand," Mr. Martin Kennedy. (Loud applause.) Bro. J. E. • Fitzgerald proposed the toast of "Tho Parliament of New Zealand." Sir James Carfoll, who_ was loudl.v cheered and greeted with the singing of "Jolly Good Fellow," said when speaking of Empire matters, that tlierowere weak parts in tho British Constitution. It was an edifice which had stood too long, its pillars were decaying arid might fall. We have to think out the renovation of that odifico-of British liberty. How could we do it? By strengthening the pillars. And we were the pillars. We were strengthening tho ramparts over seas, but we were not—or "they" were not—paying sufficient consideration to the inner building. The anneal which the delegates had made to us therefore should find a responsive cord, for the reform they desired atfected us also. (Applause.) There would be disaster not through granting Ireland Home Rule, but through failing to grant it. ■ (Applause.) .■ There was a fi»ht now proceeding in England—the greatest since the days of Cromwell. For what? l'or supreme right of tho. people to control their affairs. This reform must come, and the sooner the better. God knew Ireland had suffered wrongs in the past. Her sail had been drenched in tears. Scotland and Wales would follow her when her hopes were realised. Sometimes public men were followed by keen critics, and it confined their utterancesbut on this particular question he did not care for any press, because ho knew that the demands of Ireland wero true and her cause just; and furthermore it was to be for the good of tho Empire. (Applause.) In conclusion, Sir James Carrol sang two stanzas of "Home, Sweet Home" in Maori, tho refrain being taken up in English, Cheers were given for him. . A large illuminated and framed address was then presented to the delegates, from tho members of the Hibernian Society, by the district deputv (Bro. J. W- Callaghan). Dr. Cahill proposed tho toast of the "Irish' Nationalist-Party." In responding. Mr. If. Hazleton oppressed himself feelingly of the kindness shown them, and said he would lie-re-turning to New Zealand on holiday bent. Mr. .T. W. Redmond also responded b the toast. Air. Martin Kennedy, who' was received with cheers (called for bv the Irish delegates), proposed the "Hierarchy and Clerey of Now Zealand," and his Grace Archbishop briefly responded. . Musical contributions were given by Mr. J. F. Carr, Mis* Ense- Segrief; P. Leo. Jlinifie, Mr. R. Sicve'rs. and Mr. E. B. L. Reade. and Miss M. Griffin gave a recitation. The.accompaniments were played by Mr D J: Kenny.