PROPOSED VISIT OF THE IRISH DELEGATES.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVII, Issue 29, 8 November 1889, Page 5

PROPOSED VISIT OF THE IRISH DELEGATES.

(Westport Evening Star, October 25.) PURSUANT to the announcement made by Mr. M. D. Regan, a well attended meeting was held in the Town Hall Ust evening, for the purpose of forming a committee to suitably receive the Irish delegate 3 on the occasion of their approaching visit to this district. Mr. Colvin was called upon to preside. He stated the business of the evening as described in the advertisement. He was heart and soul in the movement, and would assist it in every possible way. Mr, Kegan proposed the first resolution, viz .—". — " That this meeting choose a committee from those present, with power to add to their number, and that such committee be empowered to m,ike all arrangements for the proper reception of Mr. John Dilion and SirGrattan FiSmonde." Mr. Regan said that addresses had been presented in other places, which, though they were not expected by the delegates, showed the feeling towards them. It wuuld be ore of the duties of the local committee, when appointed, to prepare such an address, He went on to speak of the eminent character of the vibitors. Ihe National party at Home had seen the necessity of sending out gentlemen of the highest ability to represent the caiue of Home Rule— a cause which was not now hid under a bushel. He was cure the West Coast would not be backward in giving these able gentlemen a a reception fitting io their position. Tho speaker informed the meeting that to this little place belonged the honour of siarting the first National Indemnity Fund in New Zealand, and be was enre Irishmen here wouhi not be less enthusiastic in their treatment of the delegates than sympathisers in other colonies. Mr. Dolan seconded the proposition. Mr. Reeves, M.H.tv., speaking to the motion, expected the Irishmen of Westport and the West Coast generally to roll up to a man on this occasion. It was now recognised by the most prominent stateßmen of Europe and America that Home Rule must be the future government of Ireland. It must be " Ireland tor the Irish " as it waß "New Zealand for the New Zealanders." He referred to the recent widespread agitation on behalf of Home Rule — otherwise Constitutional Government— for Western Australia, and asked if it was deemed desirable that a colony of 80,000 people should have Home Rule, why should the boon be denied to Ireland — ihe finest country in the world, which had suffered great injustice and had been struggling for this right since the abominable Union of 1800? The speaker directed attention to the successful working of Home Rule in the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. Replying to the charge made by the enemies of the cause — that Irishmen were not capable of governing themselves — he said that four out of every five Governors of British dependencies were Irishmen. Given Home Rule, Ireland would be one of the best and mott prosperous countries in the world, nnd to assist in reaching that goal he appealed to the Irishmen of the West Coast to roll up and show that heart and soul they were with the dear old land. The Chairman suggested that residents of outlying districts should be also placed on the committee. This was accepted, and the resolution carried unanimously. Mr. T. M. Easton proposed : •' That an address be presented to Messrs. Dillon and Esmonde, M.P.'s, on behalf of the Irishmen resident in Westport, welcoming and assuiing them of our devoted attachment to the cause they so ably champion." All would be pleased to see these geDtlemen and hear them expound on Home Rule. As a native of this country, he wanted to 6ee Ireland get what we had ourselves. Although a good many had made up their mind on the subject, there were some who wanted to be enlightened on it, and he

expected that after the visit of the delegates there would be more Home Balers in the district than at present. Mr. Daly seconded the proposition, and eadorsei all that the mover had said. Rev. Father Morrissey said he had to make an effort to be present, but it was his duty to be there — it was the place he should be. He could not express all an Irish heart felt ou this subject, but this was not a time for speeches but for action. They had met to make arrangaments to receive as should be received the worthy son of a patriot father — a father who gave his youth and manhood to the service of the land he loved, when to love was a crime ; and also a noble scion of the house of Grattan. Mr. Dillon was engaged in the work spoken of by the poet Davis — to break down the adamantine walls between North and South, to make the men of the North shake hands with the men of the South. It was no question of religion. Tne object was to make the Democracy of England, Ireland and Scotland shake hands with each other. The reverend gentleman concluded with the offer of all the assistance in his power to the business in hand. The motion was then put and carried unanimously. Mr. Reeves said he had a resolution placed in his hands which would appeal to their feelings. It spoke volumes, and was well and tersely put :-— " That we call upon the Irishmen of Westport and surrounding districts to rally round the chosen representatives of the Old Land on this occasion, the most important crisis in its history, and we urge upon them the necessity there is for united action, in order that the mission of the delegates may bi a sucaes." — The question of Home Rule for Ireland had tikea a stiong hold in Scotland and Wales, and he was gratified to say there was a spreading feeling in England to grant justice to the land they were all so proud, of belonging to. That Grand Old Man, Mr. Gladstone, would see the ambition of his life carried out ; he had prayei that the Almighty might spare him till justice had been done to Ireland. Every true Irish heart must throb with gratitude when the name of Gladstone ia mentioned. Mr. Moynihan seconded the proposition. He was sure all the Irishmen of the district were with them in spirit, and when these gentlemen arrived they would rally round them to a man, A crisis was impending in the history of Ireland, and this visit would mark an epoch in the history of "Wegtport. It would blot out the staina of bigotry, intolerance, aud blindness that existed in a. lew minds — even Irish minds — and dissolve them into tbia air. What Ireland wanted was united action, and he commended 6uch action on the part of the sympathisers in this district. Resolution carried. Following committee was then appointed : — Very Rev. Father Walsne, Rev. Father Moimsev, Messrs. Colvin, Regan, Moyninan, Dolan, Daly, P. O'Biien, E. J. O'C juor, K-iston, James, Walter Williams, Carr, T. Kelly, and Simon, Westport ; Messrs. Scanlon, O'Sbea, and Dwyer, ape Foul wind ; Mr. Power, West Hpit ; Messrs. McPadden, Caimody, aud McEnroe, Addition's ; Messrs. Doyle, Flanagar , and Kittson, Charleston ; Messrs. Ormond, G. Smith, and Hallahan, Dennis'on ; Mr Hyion, vVaimangaroa ; Mr. Corby, ilokihinui. The business of the public meeting [concluded with a vote of thanks to the chair.