The Star. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1880. The Irish Delegates.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6713, 28 November 1889, Page 2

The Star. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1880. The Irish Delegates.

Authoeities appear not to agree as to how many of the delegates are to visit S Christchurah. Mr O'Connor, the Secre- ■ tary of the Keception Committee, reported, : at yesterday's meeting of that body, that Mr Dillon had written to him that his (Sir Dillon's) colleagues would not accompany him, as they would be engaged elsewhere; and the Press Association agent at Hokitika telegraphed last night thab both Sir Thomas Esmonde and Mr Dillon leave the West"Coast to-morrow morning for Christchurch. Of one thing, however, there can be no doubt ; and that its that the reception, whether of one or two delegates, will be thoroughly hearty in character, and demonstrative of the earnestness with ■which a large section of thiß community, irrespective of creed or nationality, support the principle of Homo Rule. The visits of the delegates, to the North Island, and to the West Coast { or thia ielaud, have passed off without j any disturbance. The result has been ' financially satisfactory to them, some £2000 having found its way to their : cause. The general result is not less ! satisfactory to the country at large, for it has demonstrated that thi3 question can , be handled in public without exciting 1 bitterno3s of religioug controversy. The attempt made by the other side to introduce the religious element in Wellington serves by its signalf ailure to make this fact \ more prominent. The North Island has I ] given the Irish delegates fair play; the Irish j ] people have turned out in great force to i welcome their champions; a fair amount of support has come from the general public; \ rather more than half the newspapers have , Bided with, them ; the Irish question has ; ] yeceivetLavTr.entilatiott such as^ifebaajwyerJ^

had in this country, and nobody is one whib : the worse. How much of New Zealand is i actively favourable to the Home Rule I cause, or how little, 13 immaterial. The main fact is, that New Zealand bas, so far, shown its capacity for discussing Home i Rule without bitterness.