AN APPEAL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIII, Issue 35, 25 December 1885, Page 7

AN APPEAL.

TO THE EDITOR OP N. Z. TABLET. Sib,— As an Irishmen I can Dot refrain any longer from giving Tent to my feelings of joy over the recent elections in Ireland. Who could imagine Parnell was going to have 86 followers iv the next Parliament ? Never before was there ever known such a mighty band of trained and stalwart men to fight the cause for Ireland, trained because nearly all of them have tasted the plauk bed, men whom English gold cannot buy. Oh, what a sight at the opening of Parliament next January to see Mr. Parnell marching down Downing street with his mighty host. Won't they frighten John Bull 1 Let his horns be ever so long, they will Boon shorten them. Won't they tax Joey Chamberlain to his utmost with his thirtj-four millions against four. He thought they (the Liberals) were going to carry England and Scotland by fire and sword, and have such an overwhelming majority that tbey could defy Tories and Parnellites ! combined, but he forgot there were Irishmen in England, when they returned seven Tories and one Parnellite for the great working | city, Liverpool. Irishmen of New Zealand, you cannot imagine what a mighty sum the elections will cost, and how hard it was to pick suitable candidates, borne of them, you all must know, require gome support, for tbey are not all men of independent means. One time Mr. Parnell contested the county Dublin, and it cost him £10,000 ; that will give you an idea of the immense sum it haa cost him now. Moreover, he had to fight all the wealth of Ireland (the landlords). So, Irishmen of New Zealand, why do you lie sleeping when all the world is aroused ?— America sending her thousands and also Australia, the Irishmen on the West Coast have done their part manfully, also those of Christchurcb and Lyttelton. What about the famous Timam men ? is it possible they cannot get together and form a branch of the National League? I know nearly all of them, and believe all it wants is for the wheel to be set in motion, and I am confident Timaru aud the surrounding districts would realise a good sum. All it wants is a couple of energetic men to start the movement. I would also suggest Temuka and Geraldine to form together ; I know they can do it, lor there are some good men in the district. I for one will lend a hand, as I ought to have some experience, having done my part in tbe hottest time of '82 and '83, when no man's life was safe from the informer and the spy. Irishmen, perhaps this will be the last time you will be ever called upon again to help tbe land that gave you birth. Who is the Irishman so base, so vile, that would not help their brothers in exile ? Let each and every one of us give a little. Who is he who has not got a father, a mother, a sister, a brother, or some relations there. Think on why you left the loveliest clime on earth ; think how your ancestors have been treated io the past ; wouldn't it make your flesh creep, and the blood in your veins grow cold ? Think on how the poor people at home have subscribed so manfully and stuck to the League ; therefore, they shall gain their reward. Finally, Irishmen, when tbe gleam of sunshine, of freedom is dawning upon our land, let ua not lose grasp of that which is within our reach he. an Irish Parliament in College-green, —lam etc.,, A Parnrlmte. 15th December, 1885.