PARNELL DEFENCE FUND

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVI, Issue 43, 15 February 1889, Page 13

PARNELL DEFENCE FUND

{Oamuru Mail, February R.) Thkbf. was a large attendance nt the Ataemeum Hall last cvnini» to consider waat steps should m taken to assist Mr. C. S. Prime]] in the investigation now being male by a Commission mto charges made against him and his Parliamentary party by the London Tim, v. Mr. John Church, who has always shown great interest m Un- Home Bale movement, occupied the chair In explaining th; o'm it-tin-which the meeting was called, thecta-rman express I the p. ensure it gave him to be present, luat spun of ftir play whirli shoul i characterise every Brit m should stimulate them to assist Mr. Ptrn^ll to clear his character Irom the imputations cast upon it by tiie Tina*. The Home Ruld for Ireland movement h<trl hi* deepest sympathy. and he felt so strongly on the matter that his iaeliagn were always deeply stirred when he thought over the luiustice done to the country , and toe folly of withholding from a people their greatest n cognise i right, namely the pnvilege to govern themselves. Before calling on the mover of ttie first resolution, the chairman read a le ter ( t apology from Mr. James Rodger, who regretted his inability to b<: present o*ing to ill health, but expressed his sincere sympathy with the object of the meeting, and a willingness to assist as far as he w.is able in the raising of funds. The first resolution, which was moved by Mr. T. Hanuon, aivl seoocded by Mr. D. Toohey, was as follows: — " Tn«t this meeting desires to express its sympathy wi h Mr. ('oarlos Stuart Parcel!, w,f h tbe Right Hog W. B. Gladstone, ami with tne other gentlemen who ;iii* endeavouring to obtain Home Rale for Irelaud." The motion was carried unauimouttly. Mr. McLaughlio move-l, ani Mr. Burke seconded, the t blowing resolution : — "'That this meeting expresses i's indignation at the course pursued by the British (ioverument ia cojapelnng Mr. Parncll to defend himself against the toul accusations of the Times, inasmuch as it is cruel and unfair to ask any single individual to provide* funds for such a costly trial ; that it is, therefore, of opinion that a subscription list should be opened in this district with the object of assistiog him to have the trial fully completed in onier to pr~v>> hid innocence or otherwise ol ihi serious charges of crime mi i« rfgiuiv' him by that pap Jr ia hi-i leadership of the Home Kule movement ' Mr. D. Faris, in speaking to tha last resolution, sam th it hq_ differed entirely from those who believed that givicg Home liule to Ireland would lead to separation. Ie wo aid do nothing of the soit ; it would bav<j tha very opposite effect, and would leai to the cementing togetnur of England and Ireland far in ire clo?ely than at prudent. It was the duty of everyone who had the means to amist M. P.irnMl to clear bis character, as by doing sotaey would show their sympuhy wiih the cause of which he was the recognised head. Mr. John M'Dowell expressed his entire sympathy with Ireland's cause, an 4 held it to ba the duty of everyone to aid Mr. Parncll m the position in which he was placed. The Chairman sail a good many of his friends had often etpressed their purpma at the interest he had shown in Irelan 1. He felt for Ireland not because be was an Irishman, but becaus' he looked at tha movement for Home Rule as ao Englishman should who believed in justice. The treatment of Ireland was a shame and a d sgr*ce, and a stain upon the escutcheon of England ; and an an Englishman he felt that a part of tbe disgrace attached to him, no long as the just claims of the people were withheld, He could to 1

the British Goyernrnent thjy may lead Ireland, bat they would never coerce her, and of this England bad had cjnviuciog proofs for ages past. Why ahonld not the right to make their own liwi be conceded to the pet pie, and thus bring about that which force would never accomplish t Gladstone, with Forster, bad tried coercion, but found that it would not work, and so convinced had the former become of the folly of persisting in the une of force that he, like a mau, eventually became, and is now, one of the strongest ad too* tea of Borne Kale. All honour to him, he would say, as his action displayed the truly great mind. Before Bitting down, Mr. Church read the following extract from Freeman, the historian :—": — " National wilful and persistent refusal to redress admitted public injustice most, in the end, lead to contempt of law. Toen comes the fatal vicious circle which the strong cast round the weak. To order, no concessions are necessary ; to disorder, no concessions are possible. Then is offered the well-known dilemma of poor Ireland : If you keep the peace, you are oon tented ; if you break it, you are disqualified and punished." The resolution, on being put to the meeting, was carried unanimously. On the motion of Mr. James Rooaey, it was rewired to elect eleven gentlemen aa a committee to give effect to the former resolution. The following were elected : Messrs M. Sbortel, Jas. Cooney, J. Fitegerald, P. Dooley, ONeill, Wise, T. F. Burke, Barton, J. Curran. T. Rodgers, and M. Cavanagb, with power to add to their number. Mr. John CJagney was appointed treasurer and Mr. Daniel Toahsy secretary. A subscription listJwaß opened in the room, and the sum of £16 7s 6d was soon collected. It is intended to forward the foregoing resolutions to Mr. Gladstone and Mr. Parnell. A vote of thanks to the chairman completed tbe business.