The Irish Delegates.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6705, 19 November 1889, Page 2

The Irish Delegates.

They have come; they have been well received ; they are getting through their campaign at the rate of knots. At the outset they have had opposition in the shape of a hostile meeting; and at the outset the hostile meeting has given Mr Dillon an opportunity for bhowing hia great readiness of Irish wic. The enemy it seems made the mistake of inviting only opponents of Home Rule to their meeting; whereupon Mr Dillon said "We invite everybody because we court discussion. You invite those only who agree with you because you're sure you can't convert anybody elße." Ha " had them there." However, there will be these differences as long as human nature is human nature, and history is history, and the Irish question is the Irish question^ Aa the cause of justice and humanity are confined to no creed and no country, the Irish delegates who came in that sacred name are entitled to fair play, and more than that they do not ask. They have by the aid of that favour, converted a good deal of Australia. If there are New Zealanders who do nob wish to be converted, or who wish to con" vert the other side, there is nothing to prevent them from demonstrating either. If they will fight out the question fairly on its merits, they will be met fairly half-way. An intellectual struggle of this kind would be of the greatest public interest and benefit.