GLANCE AT THE PAST

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7447, 23 May 1911, Page 1

GLANCE AT THE PAST

GRATTAN’S PARUAMENT ; ADDRESSES BY IRISH ENVOYS. '‘Grattan's Parliament’* was the subject of addresses delivered, last night by two of the envoys, Messrs J. T. Donovan, LL.B.. -and W. Archer Redmond. M.P., in the concert chamber of the Town Hall. The chair was occupied by Dr Cahill. Dr Cahill, in introducing the speakers, remarked that it was usual, whenever they held a meeting of this kind, to hear of the cruel wrongs of Ireland. That night, however, they had before them two gentlemen who would tell them something of the glories of Ireland when controlled by an Irish Parliament, doing Irish work for Tfish'hearts for the benefit of theur country* , April 16th, v 1782, said Mr Redmond* marked the opening chapter .of that short though everlasting record of the institutdon* which bore Grattan's name. Addressing himself to .constitution of Grattan's Parliament, how it'worked and advanced the material well-being- and prosperity of the country, and. how it compared with the national demands vas embodied in. the Home Rule Bills of 1886 and 1833, he showed that out of 300 members of the Irish House of Commons two-thirds were returned by less than 100 persons. Never in the whole history of the world was. there a in ore flagrant abuse of constitutional ‘rights’and transgression of the Royal prerogative. After passing the Irish Houses of Commons and Lords there : were three requisites for a-Bill —affixing the great seals of Ireland and of England and commission for giving' the Royal assent; yet in spite of the joint existence of a 'hostile, executive .and an intolerable constitution, it was wonderful how much was accomplished, in view of the exclusion, of..the vast;majority of the Irish people from' having any voice in the selection of their representatives, on account of holding different religious view's or belonging to a different sect to the minority. Amidst all the jobbery and corruption ho did not., loso sight for a moment., of. tho gallant work of Grattan, for tho power? of his Parliament, limited as they were, •had been madegcod uise of in ‘the’ interests of reform. He eulogised, tho'efforts of Gladstone In his endeavours -■ to secure Homo Rule for ,Ireland, and.quoted from that stateman's.speeches in condemnation of the perpetual government of 1 England -by that! “’belated! relic of barbarism—the House of ■ Lords." Under the present Bill tho Prish Parliament would bo supreme in its own affairs;' subject to the veto of th.e .Ticerpy, as in all-self , governing *■ dominions. The- securing of tho management of their, pwn affairs- to-day constituted tho essence of tho Irish- demands. The Federalists . desired Home Rule all round —for Scotland and Wales as well, and a. Federal Parliament that would include the oversea colonies. The people of Ireland;; would welcome such a. scheme, butithat was not now the question. with thqnu ‘When they got'their Parliament in -Ireland then their .sympathies would bo with .their neighbours .in the wider scheme, but the Irish question:;brooked no delay. It had been knocking at tho door for fully, a , century. As to Gra(. : tan's Parliament, in every sense it was an enigma, but at alb events it-had the saving grace of being Irish. ‘ (Applause).. THE GLORIES UNDER GRATTAN. ’ Mr Donovan, referring, to a, song! just sung, “The Harp thah pnoo through Tara's Hall," said he believed they would once more hear tho harp resounding in the hfills of Ireland's free ' Parliament(Applause). Although Grattan’s Parliament was purely a Protestant Parliament in practically a Catholic country, they* did not object to it on that score. They did not care if they got a Protestant Parliament now, so long as it .was Irish. Under Grattan, art, science, and agriculture flourished. It was ;an exclusive Parliament, and in no sense democratic* nor did it reflect the popular,will, but it must b© remembered that it existed at tho close of the eighteenth century, and as contrasted with tho English Parliament it could- not be said to b© any better or worse. If Grattan's .Parliament had not been taken away from them it would have broadened out and developed. That Parliament was taken, away from them by methods of bribery and corruption which Gladstone himself declared constituted tho blackest chapter in-the annals of British history. In Ireland to-day they could see til© remnants of the-glories of Grattan's Parliament.' They had found in. their visits to little districts in New land the opinion still existing that in the restoration of Grattan's Parliament they* would use their powers for the purpose, of injuring their fellow Protestant countrymen, and recent cables from Home as to what would happen had been sent out. But if they knew these Belfast gentlemen as well as-he did, they would not give very much for what* they said, because ha happened to come from the Orange citadel of Belfast, the great home of Protestant* ism. -The most democratic and intelligent .citizens of Belfast ; had no fear of what ;was likely to happen there. Tbifr bogey l had been exposed. Their platform was that of liberty, equality, and brotherhood, and it was wide enough to incorporate anyone willing to work. in the interests of their country. (Applause). ■'•Dfiring tho evening songs were sung by Miss, Siegrief, “The Harp that once through Tara's Hall"; Miss McEnroes “The Last Rose of Summer" and ‘‘Believe. Me if all tliose Endearing Young Charms"; and #Mr- J. F- Carr, “The Dear Little Shamrock." Mr Fitzgibbcn. moved, . and Mr Martin Kennedy .seconded, a vote of thanks to the' speakers, which was heartily cairic*i and‘a similar compliment was paid to Dr CahilL on the motion of the envoys.