HOME RULE DELEGATES AT TE AWAMUTU.

Waipa Post, Volume I, Issue 17, 13 June 1911, Page 3

HOME RULE DELEGATES AT TE AWAMUTU.

The meeting arranged for the Home Rule delegates was held in the Town Hall last night, and was exceptionally well attended, many standing round the building. Mr Chas. Bowden (chairman of the Town Board) presided over the meeting, and in introducing Mr Hazleton extended him a cordial welcome to Te Awamutu. MR HAZLETON. In rising, Mr Hazleton said the cause he represented was not tne wish of a few of the Irish people, This was proved by consioeiing that out of 103 members sent to the British Parliament Ireland had for 30 years past sent from 84 to 86 members 01 the Home Rule party. The question was one not only affecting Ireland, but was one of the greatest imperial questions of the day. _r 01 the last 100 years the British Empire had made progress, but Ireland was the one weak and black spot having gone back. In 1040 the population of Ireland was 9,000,000 ; to-day it is but 4,500,000, while from 25,000 to 40,000 are yearly leaving the country. He referred to i-ie many districts where only the very old or the very young population could be found the middle-aged having gone to work unde * more favourable laws in other countries. This exodus was not due to the climate. .01 poor country, for authorities had considered Ireland capaole of providing for 5 or b times the population. The people, too, m other countries, held good positions and proved . themselves capable. Great misrepresentation had been made as to the

Home Rule question. It had been said that the Irish people did not wait Home Rule but Rome rule and the dismemberment of the Empire. Referring to the dm me nberment suggestion, he quoted the possibility of 4/a lions of poor people to stand against 4b millions of English and Scotch. They in no way sougf t for a disintegration of the Empire, but simply the right to have a Home Parlh me it to manage their own internal aft a rs. They would still send a reduced number of representatives to the British Parliament, and contribute to the Army and Navy, it was said the Irish were hostile to the nation. This was not the case. They were loyal to the Empire, but hostile to the system of administration. Reference was made to the special laws governing Ireland, the powei of the Lord Lieutenant, and the Land Laws, and how the power of the landlords was being broken by the expenditure of £200,000,000 by the Government in purchasing Irish lands. It was contended that Home Rule would have averted this expenditure and prevented the great exodus of the people. He referred to the many Boards controlling Ireland and the many Government officials. There were 12,000 police in the Force and in this department more money was spent than in education. It is a costly system, and a comparison showed that in 1908 Scotland had 963 Government officials who paid income tax, -while Ireland had 4539. It was stated that it was these Government officials who objected to Home Rule. In conclusion he stated-that elections in Ireland were expensive, the people having to bear all the cost. It was for this reason that delegates sought assistance from the outside Dominions, (Applause.) ' . . Mr J. B. Teasdale, in a brief speech, thanked Mr Hazleton for his capable address. He had pleasure in moving a vote in favour of the Home Rule question. , ~ _ Mr H. J. Greenslade, M.P., in seconding the resolution, also spoke in favour of not only Home Rule for Ireland, but included Scotland and Wales, with one Imperial Parliament in London. Mr J. Lundon spoke of the Irish question in a manner that was very well received, and at the conclusion of his remarks received prolonged applause. Pev. Clarke also spoke in favour the movement which, as had been pointed out, was an Imperial question. He referred to Press reports, to which Mr Hazleton suitably responded. Rev. Father Lynch thanked all for their attendance, and in a brief speech spoke in sympathy with the Home Rule movement. The vote in favour of Home Rule for Ireland, on being put to the meeting was carried unanimously. . . . After a hearty vote of thanks to the chairman the meeting closed by singing the National Anthem. The total amount subscribed by those present amounted to £45 05 6d.