SINN FEIN MISSION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16323, 12 January 1921, Page 6

SINN FEIN MISSION.

Australia is apparently regarded as fruitful soil by the Sinn Fein organisation, a belief which must have been encouraged by the prominent part which Roman Catholic clerics from the Commonwealth have x>layed . i n recent events. Tho Federal Government has just refused permission to land at any port in Australia to a Sinn Fein envoy who is on board the Makura. A similar prohibition was issued against him when the Makura was at Auckland. We must confess that we have small enthusiasm for these acts of exclusion, which are virtually an intellectual censorship. The only excuse for them is that they debar the entry into the country of people whose aim and object are the disturbance of the public mind on matters which are really foreign to dominion affairs. It would be unfortunate if what is known as “ the Irish question ” contrived to bulk largely in the affairs of the dominions, and our members of Parliament were elected because they approved or disapproved of ao Irish Republic. It cannot bo too strongly emphasised that the test of fitness for the New Zealand Parliament should be a knowledge of New Zealand’s lequuements, and a patriotic desire for the welfare of the Dora inion and its people. Even Australia, where binn Feinism is openly advocated, is coming to the conclusion that Australia must be placed before Ireland when national interests are being considered. It was left to the Kalgoorlie electorate to demonstrate the. fact. A member of the Federal House, Mr Mahon, was expelled for tho x>uhlic utterance of disloyal sentiments, in which he derided tho British Empire and declared for tlie Irish Republic An election followed, and Mr Mahon was a candidate, with the support of the Labour Party. He was defeated by a substantial majority, the electors evidently holding that the Australian Parliamentarian who made his first care the interests of Australia was jireferable to the member whose heart was still in Ireland. The lessen of KalgodHie will not be lost on Australia, where the political future of too many men has been decided 011 what they thought about Ireland, to the exclusion of Australia. The exclusion of Mr Osmond Grattan Esmonde may be an arbitrary act, but on the other hand it may be justified by expediency.