A COMING VISITOR

New Zealand Mail, 17 September 1902, Page 51

A COMING VISITOR

MR T. P. O’CONNOR

(By One Who Knows Him.)

. Mr T. P. O’Connor, M.P.. who is announced to visit New Zealand on a lecturing tour early in the coming year, is not only one of the most prominent members of the Irish Nationalist party, but. is also one of the best known, most well-informed and popular members of the British House of Commons. Mr O’Connor first saw light in the historic old town of Athlon o, County Roscommon—known as "the centre of Ireland”—on the sth October, 1843, and at an early age cave indications of that talent which became so conspicuous in after years. He received his first education at Summerhiil College, from which he passed on to the Queen’s College, Galway, where he graduated H.A. in his eighteenth year, at the. same time carrying off the senior scholarship for history and mouern languages. He left the Citie of the Tribes” a fully-fledg-ed M.A. in 1887, the year of the Fenian rising. Showing a pronounced penchant for literary work, lie obtained his first journalistic appointment the same year, as junior reporter cn am old Conservative newspaper known as "Saunders’ Newsletter,” published at the time in Dublin. In after years he was wont to relate with relish the youthful glee and sense of self-importance with wnich lie strutted down Saekville street in the Irish capital after receiving his first week’s salary. But the humdrum life and oldtime methods of the staid, easy-gomg organ had little to commend them to the young aspirant for literary fame, and he determined to seek a broader field for tho exercise of his energies. Accordingly, lie lnigratea to London in 1870, and for some time had to contend with all the disappointments, hardships and innumerable discouragements inseparable from the start of the unfriended bidder for fortune—-without resources or patronage—in the Modem Babylon. But the future Parliamentarian was not one to be cast down by temporary adversity, and ultimately he had the gratification of having his grit and persistence rewarded with the appointment of sub-edi-tor of the "Daily Telegraph,” then, as now, one of the best-conducted and wide-ly-circulating of the big London dailies. His great journalistic talent quickly came to be recognised, and very soon he had forged his way into the foremost rank of the literary notabilities of the greatest city in the world. He afterwards filled important posts on the London staff of the “New York Herald.” as well as of other leading journals, and in 1876 brought out his first book—a biography of the late'Lord Beaeonsfield. under the heading "Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of Beaeonsfield.” This he subsequently changed into a complete life of the great statesman, and the work was much admired for its literary merit, although strongly criticised by Disraeli's admirers for its unfavourable view of his character. The ambitions young journalist next became attracted to the standard of the late Charles Stuart Parnell,- then leader of a small band of Irish obstructionists clearly determined on making their voice heard and presence felt at Westminster., At Mr Parnell’s invitation he stood for Galway city, and was duly elected at the general election of 1880. He soon became one of the most active and prominent members of the Irish Parliamentary party, and was placed on the executive of the Land League both in Ireland and Great Britain. In October, 1881, be visited the United States on a lecturing tour to collect funds for the Nationalist agitation, and having addressed mass meetings in all the principal centres of

the States, he returned to London, after an absence of seven months. In 1885 contested the Scotland ward division °1 Liverpool, and defeated the Liberal Woodward, by a majority or 13oU. Being returned for bis old constituency Galway city, at the same time, ho elected to sit for Liverpool, which he nas since continued to represent, despite repeated efforts by both political parties m Ragland to oust him. About the same year, 1885, ho married a wealthy and gilted American widow, Mrs Blake, tonortly after he produced what continues to be regarded as the most valuable and successful of his works, “The Parnell Movement.” In this book a graphic and ™ C X aca . o Ußt of the Irish agitation for the past tmrty years is given. It quickly ran into several editions. Mr O’Connor nas also edited a series of four volumes ot contributions from various Irish writers of note, entitled “A Cabinet of finfoi“terature," and is the author of Gladstone s House of Commons,” "Some Old Love Stories,” "Napoleon,” etc.; besides bemg a constant contributor to most or tne leading reviews and magazines of t^L da Z‘ lu 1887 he started the London Star, which, under the magic of his name, quickly sprang into a largo circuJa.ion He severed his connection with the Star m 1890, and subsequently mounded with equal success, the "Sun,” like tile Star, ’ a half-penny evening paPd; and later on "M.A.P.,” a-society Jo }}£ na O v t u be continues to edit. „ ?, a y Pay, as he is nick-named, is one ot the most popular men amongst all parties at St. Stephen’s, and is certainly one or the busiest. At one moment he laa J ”e seen dictating to his secretary, or pernaps rattling off an articlo on a typewriter for--one of his numerous journalise tic connections; the next moment he will be round in the throes of a heated debate on some Irish grievance or English labour question; while an hour later lie mivht be seen hurrying off to catch a train to nil some puolic engagement in Scotland or the North of England. Of rather burly appearance, he lacks the oratorical grace and finish of Sexton or John Kcdmond, vet he is generally recognised as one of the ablest, most argumentative and convincing speakers in the House of Commons. There are few men living better versed m all the great political and Imperial questions of the day, and lus Home Rule tour in New Zealand cannot tail to be interesting, and to tend to a thorough elucidation of the latterday aspects of the subject.. Mr .O’Connor can bo relied on to make a close study of the laws, methods and customs obtaining at this end of the globe, and to utilise t-ie knowledge so gamed to advantage in dealing with the political and social probfluence 11 11 ° im “ eciiate sphere of his in-