THE WESTMINSTER HOME RULE UNION.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume V, Issue 219, 13 July 1877, Page 9

THE WESTMINSTER HOME RULE UNION.

Mb. Butt, as President of the Westminster Home Rule Union, has issued an address "to the Irishmen of London and the English sympathisers of the Home Rule cause," from which we take the following extract : — " The object of this union is to combine in a Home Rule Association persons -who may be disposed to help the Home Rule cause in England, especially in the metropolis. There is abundant room for the existence of such a union without interference with the present Home Rule organisation ; on the contrary, it is hoped that the new union may prove a useful support to it, especially as it is established with the cordial approval of the Confederation. The principles of the Westminster Home Rule Union are identical with those of the Irish Home Rule League and the British Home Rule Confederation. Those principles are : — To obtain for Ireland, in accordance with her ancient and constitutional rights, the privilege of managing her own affairs by a parliament assembled in Ireland, and composed of the Sovereign, lords, and commons of Ireland. To secure to the Irish parliament the right of legislating for and regulating all matters relating to the internal affairs of Ireland. To leave to the imperial parliament the power of dealing with, all questions affecting the imperial crown and government, legislation regarding the colonies and other dependencies of the Crown, the relations of the empire with foreign States, and all matters appertaining to the defence and stability of the empire at large, as well as the power of providing the supplies necessary for imperial purposes. To secure to the Irish people the advantage of constitutional government by making it a part of such Federal arrangement that there should be in Ireland an administration for Irish affairs, controlled according to constitutional principles by the Irish parliament, and conducted by Ministers constitutionally- responsible to that parliament. To obtain these objects by legal and constitutional means. The Union will aid the Home Rule cause — By as3ociatiug together the large influential class of Irishmen resident in the metropolis of the British empire who may be willing to become members of a body such as is now proposed ; by disseminating correct information as to the principles and objects contemplated in the demand for Home Rule; by aiding the exertions of the Home Rule Confederation of Great Britain, and assisting them in attending to the registration of Home Rulers in the metropolitan boroughs and elsewhere, and in taking the proper steps to maintain the Home Rule Association in the different parts of England in a state of efficiency ; and by taking such other measures as may tend to promote the Home Rule cause. The Union being formed with the intention of bringing together every Irishman and every wellwisher of Ireland, it is expressly declared that no person joining it is committed to any political opinion except the advisability of seeking for Ireland the amount of self-government indicated in the principles herein set forth ; and the co operation is now formally and earnestly invited of all persons who acknowledge the justice, expediency, and wisdom of domestic legislation for Ireland under a> Federal arrangement based upon these general principles.