IRISH EVICTION SCENES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8670, 12 September 1891, Page 3

IRISH EVICTION SCENES.

LECTURE BY MR. J. R. COX, M.P. An exceedingly interesting lecture on 'Irish Eviction Scenes "'was gnen in St. James s Hall, Wellington-street, List niglit by Mr. J. R. Cox, M.P. for County Clare. Mr. J• A'J'ole presided. There was a very large attendance of ladies and gentlemen. Jf e ; or ° the commencement of-the lecture an eiiictent choir of boys from the Marist Brothers School rendered in a highly_ creditable manner a number of delightful Irish national airs, under t.he leadership of Brother Phillip. These were heartily received. ■ # The Chairman said he felt 'it a great pleasure to introduce to the audience one ot the most distinguished members of the House of Commons. Mr. Cox was a successor Oi the great Daniel O'Connell, who represented the same constituency sixty-two years ago. Mr. Cox was paying his own expenses, and so every penny contributed would go towards the relief of the Irish tenantry. Mr. lole then called upon Mr. Cox to deliver his lecture. . . . Sir. Cox said he came to point out to the Auckland people why it was that the Irish tenant should mourn and want in a country with a lovely climate and beautiful soil. Ireland was a prosperous country until her Parliament was taken away, and her people were refused the right to make the laws they were compelled to obey—a right which every Australian colony enjoyed. They had to put. up with two curses—tho curse of the Union and the curse of landlordism. He quoted from the London Times to the effect that the names of tho Irish landlords stank over all the earth for their cruelty and selfishness. The most bitter opponents of the Irish party admitted that the great causo of Irish disaffection was the misgovenunent of England. In ISSIi, Mr. Mulhall, in his " Fifty Years of National Progress," pointed out that every part of the Queen's dominions had progressed with the exception of Irelaud, and that since the union, 1,225,0000f the inhabitants of Ireland had died of famine, 4,180,000 had emigrated, and 3,600,000 had been evicted. The lecturer went on to quote authorities to show that Ireland was happy, progressive, and contented before the Union. In fact, Ireland was then threatening to outstrip Oreat Britain in commercial prosperity. It Ireland was granted Home Rule, it could not possibly do worse than the combined enlightenment of the Imperial Parliament had done since the Union was effected. The Irish land laws were different from the land laws of any other country. The tenant there was the solo improver of the land, anil the landlord could treat him almost as he liked. The only resort was to the Plan of Campaign, which was found a good weapon with which to knock common sense into the heads of evicting landlords. Since the Land Act of ISSI and its amendments had been passed tilings had considerably improved. - Air., Cox then* related in most touching language several pitiful stories of Irish evictions, by which the audience were deeply moved alternately to auger and pity, lie also referred to the taunt levelled against the Irish of disloyalty. Such a taunt was both Cruel and untrue. The English people had never wavered since 1885 from their firnule termination to do justice to Ireland, aud the Irish party had no intention of severing their connection with the great Liberal party led by Mr. Gladstone. The lecturer also mentioned the great work done for the Irish nation by the priesthood, and stated that the time was when the only friend the unfortunate tenants had was the parish priest. ■ He hoped that the cloud of Irish unhappiness would soon pass away, as there was every prospect than it would. The freedom of Ireland was at hand. Every Irishman should do more than cheer for Irelaud. Let them form in Auckland a branch of the great National Federation for the attainment of Irish liberty." The lecturer resumed his seat amidst loud and prolonged applause. A number of excellent limelight views were then exhibited, depicting scenes of Irish evictions. Mr. Cox graphically explained each view as it was placed upon the canvas. Although, naturally, the scenes were as a rule sad, yet they were not without some touches of pathetic humour, and these were well brought out by the lecturer. Portraits of leading Irish Nationalists were also shown, and were received with applause. Mr. Mill Kit moved a resolution to the effect " That this meeting expresses its sympathy with those who were now struggling at Home for Irish freedom, and that subscriptions be invited in aid of evicted tenants." This was |, carried. The it At km remarked that £19 5s had already been collected in Auckland. A considerable sum was subscribed in the hall, which, together with the amount realised by the sale of tickets, reached it total of £00. A vote of thanks to tho chairman terminated the proceedings. It is intended to establish a branch of the National Federation League in Auckland, and for that purpose a meeting will be held to-morrow.