IRISH VOLUNTEERS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIII, Issue 5, 22 May 1885, Page 17

IRISH VOLUNTEERS.

Thb Irishmen of Temuka, like their brethren throughout the Colony, have taken steps to get a Volunteer corps. At a meeting held on May 6 last, Mr. J. M. Twomey, who presided, explained his reasons for initiating the movement, and in the course of his address said : — There were several reasons why Irishmen should take this step. They were unjustly accused of disloyalty, and the present time afforded them an opportunity of tinrling back the falsehood in the teeth of their maligners. He felt confident that Irishmen would show that they were grossly misjudged, and that if it came to a fight they would be found in the front ranks fighting for the independence of this Colony, while some of those who accused them of disloyalty would be skulking behind gorse fences (applause). Another reason why they should form a Volunteer corps was that if it came to fighting they would have to fight in the Militia, at any rate. It would be far better for them to have an Irish Volunteer Corps' of their own— and if they achieved any victories to have the credit of them — than to be swamped without a name in the Militia. It would not be they but the New Zealand Militia that did it, but as an Irish Brigade any victory which they might achieve would go to their credit. There was scarcely a battle-field in Europe in which Irishmen had not signally distinguished themselves, and if it came to war in this Colony, and an Irish Brigade was engaged in it, he felt confident that they would add another chapter to the history of the achievements of their race. (Cheers.) There was one thing no man ever dared to say against Irishmen, whatever else was said, and that was : that they were not the bravest of the brave in battle. Would it not be inspiriting to feel that every achievement would go to the credit of Irishmen; compared with being swamped namelessly in the Militia? As he had already said, this Colony was worth fighting for, and while defending it he felt sure it would be an additional incentive to Irishmen to feel that any victory gained would redound to the credit of their beloved country. ( Opposition to the movement was offered by Mr. Scanell on the ground that there was no necessity for it ; that it was antagonistic to the policy of Mr. Parnell and it was a standing joke that one would have to cry " Brian Boru " or " St. Patrick "to get Irishmen to join anything. Mr. Walsh said it would show Englishmen that where Irishmen were properly governed they were loyal. Mr. Twomey said that, as for Mr. Scannell's sneer about Irishmen rushing forward at the cry of "Brian Boru," he was very sorry to hear it. There were plenty of people ready sneer at them withont one of their own race doing it. He considered it unworthy of an Irishman, for surely for Irishmen to feel a pride in what was brave and glorious in the history of their race was no disgrace ! In the words of their nationel poet, if it was a failing, it was " a failing that leaded to virtue's side. 1 ' He for one would never be ashamed of the glorious deeds of Irishmen. The result of the meeting was that notwithstanding some obstructionists, a resolution was carried in favour of the proposal. Up to that time the matter was kept quiet, but after the report of this meeting appeared in the paper, almost all the' Irishmen in the district, both Catholic and Protestant signified their intention of joining, if not as active, as honorary members. Three meetings were held during the following week, Mr. O'Hallaran being in the chair on each occasion, with the result that on Saturday, the 9th, a list of 63 names were handed in. It was then decided that each man should sign the list, and that the list of names be forwarded to the Defence Minister. As some of those who had promised to join happened to be some distance away at the time, only 62 names were obtained. This list was forwarded to Wellington on the 14th but no reply has so far been received. It may be as well to state that it was decided to offer the services of the corps under the honourary clause of the regulations. At the meeting on the 9th, Mr. Corcoran moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Twomey for having initiated the matter. In acknowledging the compliment Mr. Twomey paid it was to him a pleasure to see Irishmen of all denominations, from the grey-baired-grandfather to the grandson, uniting together harmoniously to prepare themselves for defending this beautiful land from any foreign invasion. He had taken the initiative in the matter to show their fellow-colonists that in the hour of need they would ' have Irishmen with them shoulder to shoulder and ready to do and and dare all that was necessary for their mutual protection,