MR. JOHN DILLON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8162, 25 January 1890, Page 5

MR. JOHN DILLON.

A FAREWELL GATHERING. THE MISSION OF THE DELEGATES IN THIS COLONY. A large number of ladies and gentlemen who are friends and supporters of Mr. John Dillon, assembled at the Academy of Music, Lome-street, yesterday evening, to bid farewell to that gentleman, who is to leave for San Francisco. A programme of musio, etc., was submitted, solos being given by Misses A. and C. Lorrigan, Miss Swan, Miss Shanathan, the Rev. Dr. Egan, and Messrs. J. A. 'Ole and Mitchell, whilst an orchestra under the direction of Mr. P. Hiscocks played several pieces in an excellent manner. During the evening, the company adjourned to the ante-room of the building, where an ample and in every way excellent Biipplv of refreshments was provided by Mr. Canning, the table being tastefully laid. The health of "The Queen " having been drunk, Mr. J. A Tom: proposed that they should drink to the name of Mr. Dillon, their distinguished guest that evening. (Cheers.) He was pleased to think that Mr. Dillon had been able to spend a few leisure hours in Auckland and the surrounding districts, and to enjoy the natural beauties of this part of the colony. They were all pleased to think that the progressof the Irish delegates through New Zealand had been a triumphant success, and that they had been supported by the leading Liberals of New Zealand. He believed their mission had been preeminently a success in lifting the great cause which they support out of the groove of narrow prejudice, and into the sphere of calm deliberation and consideration. (Cheers.) They were also pleased to know that Mr. Dillon had been considerably restored to health by his tour through this colony. He (Mr. Tole) thought the best antidote for coercion was to take a trip through New Zealand. (Laughter.) He concluded by wishing Mr. Dillon long life, and assured him that he would live in their hearts. Mr. Dii.lqn, who was received with great cheering, said it would be exceedingly difficult for him to express to them how deeply he felt the way in which they had accepted the toast of his health, and still more the superabundant and overflowing kindness which had induced them to come there that night. He thanked the lady who had organised the musical entertainment, and the ladies and gentlemen who had assisted her. .He had now spent over two months in New Zealand ; and he confessed that when he proposed to visit these shores he was warned by many friends that whilst the mission of the delegates in Australia had been a great and magnificent success, such a. success might not attend them in New Zealand. He came, therefore, as a stranger, with doubt and with some misgivings; but he found from the h'rst day—a day that he would long remember—on which he landed on Auckland wharf, that he was surrounded with friends, and it had given him the greatest pleasure to see the outburst of enthusiasm with which he and his colleagues had landed on the soil of New Zealand. He had visited every considerable town and all the cities of this colony; and now at the end of his labours he was in a position to say that, considering the number of the Irish people in this country, the success of the delegates' mission had been more striking in New Zealand than inanyone of the Australian colonies. (Cheers). As he had had good reason to know, many who were not Irish had rallied to their support, especially in this colony; but it was perfectly just and fair to estimate the success of their mission by considering it in proportion to the numbers of the Irish people in each colony, and taking that test, one of tho best that could be taken, they found that in proportion to the number of the Irish population, more had been done in New Zealand than in any of the Australian colonies. Mr. Dillon pointed out that the majority of all the leading statesmen, past and present, of New Zealand had signified their adhesion to the cause of Ireland, and had in many instances taken their stand on the Home Rule platform, whilst throughout the colony, from Auckland to Dunedin, no person of any influence or standingas apolitical leader_had placed himself inopposition to the cause of Ireland. (Chews.) If anyone was inclined to challenge that statement, he would ask him to name any opponent who had come forward, and who had any position as a statesman, and any influence. He need, on the other hand, hardly go through the catalogue of those who had given him their support. When he first landed hero, and on the occasion of his first meeting, lie was received with the kindness, courtesy, and sympathy which lie trusted and believed lie would never forget, by a gentleman whose name, whatever difference of opinion might exist as to his policy— whose name, when the history of New Zealand came to bo written, would appear as that of the foremost statesman in tho days of the youth of New Zealand, and that is Sir G.Grcy. (Loud cheers) From all that lie (Mr. Dillon) had seen and had learned of the views and the speeches and writings of that gentleman both iu regard to thiscountry, with which so much of his great and varied career had been identified, and also with regard to his (Mr. Dillon's) own country, about which he had made some remarkable and almost prophetic statements, he believed that in the highest and broadest sense of the word, Sir George Grey was a statesman, and that many of his forecasts in regard to this country, as well as Ireland, would be justified and verified by tho lapse of time. This he certainly would say, that the strong conviction was forced upon his mind by conversation, both with men who admired Sir George Grey and men who did not admire him, that from the outset his views and his objects have been in the truest sense to serve the people, and that for this reason, from his large and broad sympathy with the masses of the people of the country, he had felt himself constrained, had felt an irresistible inclination to take his stand by the side of that people who were engaged in a struggle which from its very nature attraded his sympathy ; and so it was that he had not only received him (Mr. Dillon) personally with a kindness that ho would never forget, but ho had also come to the delegates' meeting to give them, at the outset of their tour, the support of his historical lininc and great influence. (Cheers.) The member for East Mayo also mentioned the support the delegates had received from other leading men in the colony — Mr. Tole, Mr. Ballauce, the Hon. Patrick Buckley, Sir Robert Stout, Mr. Larnacii, and others, and although the present Premier—he (Mr. Dillon) found no fault with him—although lie saw obstacle) to his appearance on the platform at Wellington, he wrote letters to the meeting stating that he was a strong advocate of Home Rule. He thought it would be a pity to let this opportunity pass without directing their attention to a striking instance of part of the system by which their movement was assailed, and that was, the circulating of false news. They had had in this city recently a most ludicrous and striking instance of this method. A gentleman who had "presided over an Home Rule meeting recently—which he had a perfect right to do—had written home to a leading English statesman, Mr. Chamberlain, assuring him that the whole loyal and intelligent population of New Zealand, without exception—for those were the terms of the reply—were opposed to Home Rule. Ho was exceedingly glad this course had been pursued: for could anything possibly give a more striking illustration of the truth that they could not trust the news sent out from England ? Here they had an instance of the kind of news sent home to Emrhuid, and here they saw that an English statesman had been informed, and. apparently believed, that the whole of the intelligent population of thiscountry had declared against them. He knew the gentleman who had presided over that meeting, and he could only say that if tho Loyalists— as they called themselves—Her Majesty's friends in this town, couldgct nobody of greater influence or politicalstanding, Her Majesty's authority would be in a very awkward position. (Laughter.) As a subject of Her Majesty and a member of the British Empire, he hoped her authority had not sunk so low that the Loyalists of this town had no one of greater standing than that very worthy gentleman, who would hardly have the self-importance even in New Zealand to describe himself as a man of political influence or leading position in this country. He was perfectly content to rest the success of their tour in New Zealand on the relative merits of Sir George Grey and Mr. Barstow. (Laughter and cheers.) Mr. Dillon went on to say that he had gained a great deal of valuable information during his tour of Now Zealand, and he cou'.d not help thinking that it would be no limn if other members of the Imperial Parliament were to follow his example. iHear, hear.) He hoped that those members of the House of Commons who came to New Zealand would spend at least two months here before they opened their mouths about the country. He mentioned Mr. Dixon, a Liberal-Unionist, who came over here to see a sheep run, and after speudinir about a week in New Zealand delivered himself in regard to the colony in an extraordinary manner. This same proceeding was followed in Ireland, with this difference, that some people did not give them even a week in Ireland. Mr. Dillon again returned thanks for the. manner in winch tho toast of his health had been received. Mr. Tole called on Mr. Dillon to propose the toast of " The Reception Committee 1 ' Mr. DihjOX gave this toast in a brief address. He said that not only had he been warned not to come to New Zealand, but he had also been warned by a great many friends not to land in Auckland. (Laughter). One of the characteristics of this country was that there were several cities each consider-

ing themselves best in all things, the Irish question amongst the rest. Surrounded as the delegates were by enemies, it was undoubtedly a matter of enormous importance that the first meeting in this country should be a success, and if the tour in the colony had been Buccesslal, a great share of the credit was due to the exertions of the Auckland committee, who had worked with as much energy as if engaged in their own business. Although he nad been told that he would not know the full amount of support which the Irish cause received in this colony until he got to Dunedin, he was bound to say that night that in the important matter of raising money, Auckland had by far exceeded every other part of New Zealand. (Choers.) The meeting at Dunedin was a splendid one. and so was that at Wellington, but none of them succeeded in getting within £100 of the proceeds of the meeting at Auckland; and therefore the wannest thanks of all who took an interest in the Irish cause wore due to those who had secured this result. Mr. Dillon referred at some length to the recent news that the Irish people had voluntarily agreed to a tax upon themselves of 3d in the £1 on the valuation of th« entire country, as showing that the Irish were willing to help themselves in this great struggle, having got rid of the £40,000 expenses of the Parneil CommisBiou by the timely aid which had come from the colonics. He coupled with the toast the name of Mr. VV. Duncan. (Cheers.) Mr. Du.voan briefly responded, and those present then returned to the hall, where the remainder of the musical programme was carried out. Mr. \V. J. Speight also delivered a brief speech, pointing out that much of the success ot Mr. Dillon's mission was due to Mr. Dillon's own method of presenting the case for Homo Rule—his gentlemanly deportment, his calmness, and his mode generally, had disarmed opposition. The gathering, which was most enjoyable, separated with the singing of " God Save the Queen." - During Mr. Dillon's visit to the North he was shown all the places of interest at Russell, and went on to Ohaupo and Kawakawa, and thence to Hokianga, where the party visited Messrs. Williams' estate, and afterwards Lake Omapere. Mr. Dillon visited the Very Rev. Dr. McDonald, who was delighted to see him : and he went on from Rawene to Lower Waihou, where a Maori feast was in progress, to celebrate the marriage of six native people. The native chiefs and the whole of the tribe welcomed Mr. Dillon and party •in the customary Maori fashion, and in a few words Mr. Dillon, who was introduced by Dr. McDonald, thanked the people for their hospitality. The member for East Mayo also visited the Taheke, the Punakitere special settlements, and also the Motukaraka and iioui Heke's settlements, and other places. Mr. Dillon was greatly pleased with the The balance-sheet issued by the Dillon Reception Committee appears elsewhere. It shows the expenses to have been only £43 5s 2d.