A PLEA FOR THE BISHOP

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11168, 25 March 1922, Page 9

A PLEA FOR THE BISHOP

THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT. Mr J. McD. Coleman writes to the “New Zealand Herald” :—Many attacks have been made by the Press and public men, no doubt all in good faith, on Dr. Liston because of his speech at the Town Hall on St. Patrick’s night. Permit me a word. I can lay daim to “loyalty” through free and voluntary service at the front, and I claim also to understand a little of the Irish spirit. Dr. Liston spoke as a. man of Irish descent to an ,Irish audience and on their national day. One does not expect at such a time or occasion a recital of the virtues of England and English rule. Many of the Irish present had last relatives in the recent years of the Irish trouble and no doubt the wounds were still open and sore. The Irish blamed, the English Government for its misrule whether or not there was blame on both sides. Was it not natural under the conditions of the evening amidst Irish national song, musao and dancing, things might be said that in the light of cold reading on the following day may seem harsh and uncalled for, and even say uncharitable. From the speech as I heard it I do not believe sedition. was meant or intended. Time is a, great healer for all wounds, and when the Irish Free State is solidly and seourdlv established under the leadership of Mr Griffith and Mr Collins, a more contented and happy • spirit must grow. Meanwhile, Press comment and sectional bitterness with the demand for puMshnneart on occasional outburst as the present will add nothing to the stability of the Empire or help the Irish themselves to forget.