IRISH NATIONAL LEAGUE, GREYMOUTH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 30, 14 November 1884, Page 31

IRISH NATIONAL LEAGUE, GREYMOUTH.

At the usual fortnightly meeting of the Greymouth Branch 1.N.L., held on tbe 26th Oct., Mr Landers, who is at present travelling on the Coast, attended.

The President (Mr. Jas. O'Brien) introduced Mr. Landers as one of the members for New Zealand ia the Federal Council, aid in doing so hoped he (Mrl Landers) would give us all the information and assistance he possibly could, relative to the " Payment of Mem* bers Fund," and other matters in connexion with the League. Mr. Landers said he was very happy to be pressnt at the meeting, and would willingly give any information or assistance be could command to further the objects of the League, but was sorry that later ly. owing- to bis nomadic avocation, he had not been able to do as much for those matters as he desired to do. He characterised the Melbourne Convention as a great success, morally and otherwise, and gave the Redmond Bros, great praise for their energy and prudence in their tour through the colonies. He was certain that Mr. W, Redmond wished to be nominated the member for New Zealand in tbe Irish Parliamentary Party, but thought such a course invidious ; the management of those matters should be left to Mr. Parnell, buc he would not oppose a suggestion to that effect. The North Island had done nothing so far in the Payment of Members Fund, but he thought they did very well in the Parnell Testimonial Fond. He himself collected £80 for that purpose, and as soon as he got; back he would collect for the Payment of Membets Fnnd. Now was the critical time for Ireland, as at the next general election the Irish Party would consist of about 80 good men, most of whom could not afford to attend their parliamentary duties in London unless the funds were forthcoming for that purpose. He would be a poor Irishman, indeed, who would not willingly give £1 per year to support such a brilliant little band as Mr. Parnell and his party, who have done such good work for Ireland during the last four years. He admired our method of conducting our meetings. He was present at large meetings in Victoria and thought we excelled them in our method of business. The Auckland Branch was well conducted, had debates, readings, and original papers at their meetings, He wished every b- anch could adopt the same plan. In reply to questions, be said Redmond attached more importance to the " Payment of Members Fund" than to any other resold* ' tion proposed at the Convention. He thought there would be no difficulty in raising £300 annually for that purpose in New Zealand. Tbe cost to the members collectively attending the Convention might be about £5000, but it was well worth it, — and none of this cost came out of the Funds collected by the Redmonds in the Colonies.^ It was a great pleasure to hear such men as Dr O'Doheity, Mr. Long* more, Mr. Fitzgerald, etc., and the greatest treat he ever beard wa J. E. Redmond's lecture on "Wexford in '98, in St. Patrick's Hall.

After some new members being proposed, and several subscriptions handed iv, the following gentlemen were elected to canvass for the Payment of Members Fund :— Messrs. T. P. O'Donnell and M. Bioidan for Grey mouth, Mr Coffey for Brunnerton, Mr. Ryall for Batrytown, and Mr. Phillips for outside districts. A list was opened in the room and a good sum subscribed. After some routine business and a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Leaders fur attending, tbe meeting adjourned.