TO-MORROW NIGHTS MEETING.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LIII, Issue 9261, 8 January 1907, Page 4

TO-MORROW NIGHTS MEETING.

A great deal of interest is taken in the | meeting, to be held to-morrow evening at which the principal speech will be that <jf Mr Devlin, M.P. Naturally his coun trymen and their descendants in this favored portion of New Zealand Will give him an enthusiastic welcome. Their patriotism, their warm sympathies, and the settled convictions they hold on the great question to be discussed will-ensure this. And even others who may not see eye to eye with them will, we are sure, join in giving a respectful reception to the distinguished gentleman who has travelled so many thousands of miles to serve the cause so dear to the hearts of the people whom he represents and the body of brilliant men with whom he. works so loyally. A controversy which has in course of modern history produced so many political crises in Great Britain and Ireland, which has broken up and reconstructed parties, which has made and marred reputations, which has engrossed the attention of so many fine intellects, has cast down very strong administrations, and has time and aga-*n aroused storms of political passion in comparison with which the bitterest of mere party fights have been but gentle zephyrs, must of necessity present complex features. No doubt a deal has been said which had been better left unsaid, a great deal has been done which had been better left undone. But the constitutional method of redressing political wrongs is an appeal to the public" conscience and an appeal to the electoral power of the people Mr Devlin represents the party of political action and is a delegate from that party primarily to his fellow-countrymen across the seas, but he also includes within the scope of his appeal for moral support all \ who take a sympathetic interest in ' a settlement of the great question in issue. Differ as people may all can join in a respectful welcome' to tlhe accredited representative of a great party. We have previously taken occasion to express the belief that the basis of a satisfactory settlement can only be sfelf-govorrimentJ Mr Gladstone over twenty years ago was compelled by the logic of events to take this stand, and though for various reasons he failed subsequent (history has tendled to '• show that other expedients are foredoomed to failure. Certainly it will be of interest to all to hear the case put with the force and authority which must necessarily attach to the utterances of a member of the House of Commons.