IRISH DINERS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 19 March 1913, Page 5

IRISH DINERS

SPEECHES ON HOME RULE

OVERSEAS STATESMEN IN SUPPORT.

{Press Association.- -Copxriqht.) LONDON, March. 18.

Mr John Redmond , presided at the Irish National dinner, and -proposed a. toast to the Irish Nation. Opposition to Home Rule, he said, was dead, while universal regret was felt that the Parlinieut Act delayed its passing. ,Sir Joseph Ward attributed the remarkable success of the Irishmen', of the overseas Dominions to the fact that they were trusted. and the insult to their manhood, was not ever "before them. It would be a great thing if Great Britain gained the goodwill oi the 25,000,000 Irishmen outside Ireland. The needs of the Empire required that the festering sore near the heart of it should be healed immediately. It was a thousand pities that the Ulstermen differed from the other Irishmen, but the majority had rights equally with the minority. Many Ulstermen "in New Zealand were living in unity with other Irishmen. If any interference was made with the Ulste'r.men's liberty, or religion, the British Government, which gave Ireland._ selfgovernment, could take it way. This action would be backed by public opinion the whole world over. The Hon. AY. A. Holman (N.S. Wales) said that the denial of self-government was a big blot on Englishmen's reputation of honesty and fair play. The history of self-governing colonies had shown that they were ready to support the Empire in every lime of need. It was wrong that a. boon should be ruthlessly withheld in the very heart of the Empire. He concluded by hailing Air Redmond as the true leader of self-government: he was so regarded in Australia. "END OF ARISTOCRATIC RULE." MR BRYAN -CRITICISED. CHICAGO. March 18. Mr W. J. Bryan, at a St. Patrick's Day banquet said that victory in Home Rule means the end of aristocratic ruler and victory for the whole world, because Ireland's part would be remembered by every people engaged in struggling against the aristocracy. The victory of Home Rule would probably be unacceptable at first in England and S'cotland. but in the end these countries would find that it was immensely to their benefit. The American Press is criticising Air Bryan for his interference with the internal affairs of another country.