MR REDMOND'S MISSION.

Tuapeka Times, Volume 27, Issue 950, 27 June 1883, Page 5

MR REDMOND'S MISSION.

; . (Contributed.) . , .Undismayed by -jkhe, ; .invecUveß of the'i Press or .'the , cold , aud sullen jindjffer^nce of »' large, number, of, tbe.^ populace, Mr Ite'dmpnd has at' length brought, his mission to r Australia (o a, fairly successful 4sßUe,/; a hdih&i bow made known hifl!determinatk>»*o crowiithe and »ppe*l to ith# patriotism ofihfs (country man dn New ; sZflßla.nd ?;) .JWftth o^haiw^ 'fdeUng*; his'W^W^^^'i^^^6^^^-^ 0 far they have riolj^en^fonid^o.exceed the) bounds of reason or moderation), thero ire'fe^i^pArtial men can withhold from him theiradmiration for 1 the itianly (T selfWBtFjdadj tact, i audi modefa^On shown by ' himiunder/the moab trying' circumstances, ' which> haye ftp ! fan t marked hisvprogress thxpugh Colonies. . ; For'montha prioir . fa ; his .arrival A^sjtr^lia^ , the a rare and singular unaiiimUy, joined in: raiairig 1 up against ''Mia' a : feeling of the ' most' bitter andunfrieiiaiylniiitiire,' jrhich was sustained 1 and irite&sified fttim hirae to time by .distorted' !a¥d one-sided' feablegratns in connection with theldeplorable eventa : that haye, 'lately cast a eh^owiover '■' unhaopy Ireland. < ;His ; arrival, in the cpuntry wasdthe signal ;for ( a,, tempest of [ abuse so- violent and' unsparing as might ' have dissipated' 'the 1 , hopes' and^uggested . the' wisdom of a 1 Speedy re'treilt to Si 1 man less Jsanguiae or determined. •rThis unchirxlrOusiapiritv; breathed -through the Press^aoo^jwMmed'inMHfethe; prejudices pf people .who, if allofwed to/r^tajin-jiheir ,neason,gnd jp«gJn^n i i ? ni^hjt f h\aye.fflllowcid .th»4im9-h;onpred^pjrec^aen.t pf Tearing a mai^rbefore cpndemhing ,hun.rlSbt only, l Kc%iver, ( iraa l M feveifsrttie case, but

I men who, from their position and intelligence, might be expected to set an example of toleration, vied with each other in the peremptbriness with which they denied him the facilities for explaining the objects of his mission or of rebutting the terrible charges made, against him. Socialists, blasphemers, and mountebanks of every order are readily accommodated with the use of buildings wherein to disseminate their unwholesome opinions, while this gentleman, whose object is the amelioration of human suffering, is denied the same privilege. Viewed impartially, ■ the' proceedings throughout in connection with Mr Redmond's visit are opposed to every notion of honour and fair play. The laws, of hospitality that we expect to see observed towards a stranger and a gentleman have in his case been systematically violated, and an amount of pre-conceived and unreasoning prejudice indulged in towards him that hardly accords with the characteristics of the traditional Englishman. In every country, except, indeed, those wretched places where the liberties of the people are confided to the sacred keeping of policemen and informers, legitimate expression of opinion is encouraged, particularly on matters relating to the welfare of the people. And while it must be conceded that in' these colonies liberty of speech, as far as is consistent with public morality, is by law wisely and generously accorded to every man, still this liberty can be Tendered of comparatively little use by the combined action of a vindictive and not over-scrupulous Press. During Mr Redmond's tour • through Australia, the truth of this assertion has been forcibly exemplified ; and it must be also apparent that an effort to bring about a like result has been attempted by New Zealand journalists, with, indeed, a few honorable exceptions. For months past, we have been accustomed to see in print statements concerning him and the objects of his visit, as malicious as they are unfounded, 'and those who have the courage or the honesty 'to pen a Hue in his defence are denied the privilege of publication, and stigmatised as Fenians or perhaps worse ; while the utmost prominence is given to the productions of those people who 'are adepts in the art of defimation and abuse. -But what, it may be asked, is the motive that induces this undisguised hostility? We are told, indeed, that disappearance of Mr Redmond will j be the signal: for inaugurating a feeling of enmity between different classes of the i people. BetWeen whom ? Considering the manner in which the claims of Irish colonists in connection with educational •matters are treated, it does .not appear to me that the nature Of- their feelings has ever been' looked uponJ as anything deserving any particular consideration. ;3?or!; 3?or ! years, they :have been asking tor the right of being allowed the disposal of their own money 'in imparting a Christian education to their children, *nd have been tauntingly refused ; but beidg the weaker piarty, they have of necessity to submit patiently, firmly trusting that the ruling classes may some day awaken to a sense of the injustice. This treatment has engen- 1 dered no ' Spirit of hate in them, nor has it disturbed the tranquil -relatiohS''alvr*ys existing them iand their fellowcolonists. How than san Mr Redmond's logic bring about what taunts and injustice have failed to accomplish ? And it surely cannot be that a spirit 'of ferocity would be admitted within the portals of (educated minds, or that nien with any pretensions to refinement would resort to violent or ungentlemanly means for 'the enforcement of their opinions. But truth should never beget hate or intolerance ; and if the doctrines enunciated by Mr Redmond bear the stamp of truth and reason, surely there is a sufficient sense of justice and fair play left to- accord him whiat every man is entitled to— a fair and an impartial hearing. ' : If, on the contrary, there is anything bordering on untruth or exaggeration imported intb-'hia statements, there must be a good many persons' possessing sufficient knowledge of the subject: to'direct public attention to them. But, perhaps; the chief cause for much of the hostility shown him may be found in the. -fact' that the most' Widely' circulated and influential of our public: journals aTe t tte property of men who, by duramyism and every other species -of triokery, are rapidly absorbing the lands-of the Colony -*the 'rightful heritage of the people ~and working • out for this country a destiny similar to that which has beggared and' depopulated Ireland. In Mr Redmond, they recognise one who possesses the knowledge, as well as the 'ability to'enlrghten the people! as to ithe evils resulting from this pernicious system i of laiid monopoly ; <itehce their efforts to j prejudice him in theimindsof the people. But those who' abase and vilify him evidently^ kndw but litHe of the grounds on "which Irishmen; base their appreciation of public men. • To 6e howled at by the Organs of landlordism in' Ireland is to $he. f people' of 'that country the most convincing proof of the sincerity of their leaders. The same thing' holds good in the preabnt instance. His countrymen will therefore "go to hear htm," and he will tellth;em r •harrowing* tales' of 'eviction and cruelty practised even-to ■this day on their own kith' and kin, • and they will believe him ; •for a good many :of them have perchapce been «ye- witnesses of similar aceneß. 3]his much' accomplished, his- mission < will, be successful ; for; in my opinion j it is only amongst his own countrymen that he hopes for practical sympathy and support. Not, indeed^ that they are the only people interested in the abolition of iniquitous land laws-; for- at the 1 present time from the Scottish .Highlands; comes a bitter wail— ;the/ cry of *n almost exterminated, -peasantry— unable longer to bear the, increasing 'enactions of tb& -remorseless lairds. Let' us heat what : Professor Blackie says'on this matter in arecent number of tho "Nirieteen'tnOeiilury :" **iAnd'BO it came to pass thtt in many a 1 feonniegreen glen, onee ■ ringing with the yoiees of- happy children* from the homes «iaturdy fatheraattd industrious mothers, you might walk-'a whole) day and'vtumble on nothing human but xtiifch lowland shepherd "or a ' single, : Highland 1 ■ gam* JAnd wefind awb^ia wpro. fessedly democratic country ready- to defend ! k'Bystem'that has been p'rdductive of such terrible eyils-H-a code of laws that, allows the happiness of thousands of industrious families to depend on {the caprice or r'apabity of a handfnlofitif;led idlers. But injustice as' ihistory • and experience teach us, no matter by what an- array of power it may be supported, •cannot last ; it produces in time the alementa for its own destruction, and in keeping with: the magnitude of the evils it . has wrought will be the completeness with •which it is destroyed. -. X.Y.Z.

Despairing old maidi look lahguishingly even on raih'-b^ws. *' Why is a cabbage running to seed like a lover?— Because it hai lost its heart.