THE IRISH LAND LEAGUE AGITATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 49, 28 February 1883, Page 3

THE IRISH LAND LEAGUE AGITATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

Laudatory addresses were presented on 18th February, at Adelaide, to Mr. William Bedmond, and likewise Mr. J. Walsh. They were signed by the chairman and secretary of the local Irish Land League. At tho Town Hall in the evening, Mr. E. Biley, a gentleman who is travelling,^ the colonies for pleasure, lectured in opposition to the Irish National Land League, and in refutation of Mr, J. E. Redmond's arguments on Friday last. He" 'characterised Mr. Bedmond'B sentiments as seditious, and deplored the fact of Irish agitators coming to Australia to stir up strife./ Mr. Bedmond had highly coloured some of his statements, and suppressed a lot of information damaging to the Land League. He instanced some, and commented on the absence of any explanation as to what was to be done with the subscrip. tions which they hoped to raise in Australia. Was it to relieve genuine distress in Ireland, or to pnt arms in the hands of a mad populace, and assist them in rioting ? Mr. Redmond had distinctly stated that the object of the Irish agitation had been attained. Would .Australians assist, by subscribing, in the dismemberment of the British Empire, and bring two sister countries to war ? It was a fact that this Land League was totally and distinctly responsible for the outrages committed on Irish tenants. Mr. Redmond had foully slandered the Irish constabulary; whose forbearance was marvellous. Mr.

Wiley, claiming himself to be an Irishman and a Catholic, alluded to Uio sweeping <Jeminoiation of the Leaguo by Archbishop M'Cabe at Dublin, and the Pope's approval of Dr. M'Cabe'B action. Ho (Mr. Itiley) affirmed that the Irish landlords were kind and considerate, and wore beloved by their tenant-i, some of whom paid their rent stealthily, fearing to do it openly, The agitation for tho possession of the land was really one botweenthe rights of those having property and the deairea of tHose having none. The lecturer was heartily cheered, and a resolution was carried of want of confidence in the proposed National League, and in favour of withholding countenance and support to the organisation until itt objects wore more clearly defined, and come guarantee giton that the money collected should be applied in furtherance of some legitimate object. The proceedings were orderly.'