"FOR THE WEAK AGAINST THE STRONG."

Marlborough Express, Volume LIV, Issue 190, 12 August 1920, Page 5

"FOR THE WEAK AGAINST THE STRONG."

PRELATE'S OPINION QF IND&-

PENDENCE!.

(Received Aug', 11,-10 5 p.m.) Iss#QN,,Aiig. 10. In an intea*vien-,'.,'^rchbisliop Mannix stated: *'I am an* Australian citizen who wishes to visit his native land •;iif ter seven years Spent in Australia.. I thought that it was my duty as Archbishop of Melbourne to stand by the weak against the stijong. I was therefore compelled to-iise my influence on behalf of the workers. Thus my name became associated with Labor politico. The Australian volunteers' did more than their share to win the Wai."

The interviewer asked: "Were yon, then, in favor o£ rocniiting and. volunteering?" .- ; Archbishop Mannix replied: ''I asked- no '-na}i to go and I asked no man tir stay." The Archbishop n» suiled Mr Hughes as defeated and discredited. He was feeling nervous because rie was losing his hold on office.

• Th« interviciYvoir asked: "Do\ you contfcTnpila.te taking ; part in political agitation?'' Arclibishop Mannix replied: "I have made no'plans." ' . ■ ; Tho interviewer: "Have you seen Mr Huglaes'a statement that yoiir return to .Australia may ]>c difficult?'

Archbishop Mannix: ' 'Yes;' but lam bound to return to Australia.; Mr Hughes is not •my ecclesiastical suporicf." The prelate deplored Irish crime, Lut it was political, ; The Irish people ..wen) the most crimeloss people in the world. Ho further stated that the Irish Republic was already in existence, «nd nothing could alter it except a change of opinion among tho Irish themselves. ''You English people seem to. agree that if Ireland asks for Dominion Home Rule it should bo granted. It seems to follow logioailly that if Ireland asks for a Republic'she. is entitled to ■ ha.vp. it. The English'say ' ■'.■hat they cannot allow Irel.-md'to be independent, for .strategical reasons. Germany might have said the same tiling about Belgium, and Russia might say the fame thing about Poland. ; Apparently some people in England think that the principle of- seilf-determination should apply iyy our enemies but not to our friends."