IRISH NATIONAL FEDERATION.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 19, 7 September 1894, Page 23

IRISH NATIONAL FEDERATION.

IRELAND AS SEEN BY A COLONIAL

(Speech by the Hon Mr McCullougb, M.LO) A meeting of the Irish National Federation was held in St Patriot Hall, Wellington, on Monday the 20th instant. The hall « fit well filled and among those on the platform were the Hon M McCuliough, M.L.0., Hoa Mr Jennings. M.L.0., Mr O'Driecoll Mr m?m: %ZZ^:Z7 Kon '" 7 " tho ™*-S£ The chair was taken by Mr O'Driscoll. who read a letter from Mr P. „ O'Regan, M.H.R., apologising for his un.voidao fait owing to the House sitting, and his being in charge of a Bill wS demanded his presence there. Whlch Before calling on the speaker of the evening, the Hon Mr McOnl lough, a humorous recitation, taken from "Mark Twain's" w t was capitally given by Mr Naughton, ani a song, "The bov- *?' coming home- (William O'Brien), was sung excellent* by £ Walshe, both items meeting with much applause. • * I\G?riecolI \ G ? riecol1 ' ia °P enin ?. B P<*« «to the greatness of the work in which. hose present were engaged, ramely, to assist tbeir native land in the hour she most needed help. Fifty yearßy earß ago ltela^ll double her present population, and those who were now left were mostly the aged and the young, who were largely dependent on the r relatives and friends who were the breadwinners, but who had been competed to emigrate, ard consequently those who remained at home were not >ble to contribute much towards the needs of the cause of He me Rule Ir theref re behoved Irish people in other lands o come forward with their subsc.ip.ions aQ< l influence, to help those who canoe t help themselves. He referred to the fact that « he English Conserratives were weal hy and stuck at nothing wh eh would tend to discredit aad damage the cau 30 of Home Bale No misrepresentation was too bad or two unprincipled to be ureed a<a«ostt,e«drince of the c.use, but, thank God, in America fnd the Australian Colonies there were Irishmen who were spared to take the last .billing out of their pockets to help the party who we a stnwlme so gloriously. He referred to the fact that oonntaS which were considered despotic had granted Home Rule, notably L the case of Hungary giving it to Croatia despite the hatred existing between the Slavs and Croatians. AH that Lhmen asked To was perm.sHon to live in their own land instead of having to rZ! through the world to fiui the means of supporting^ helpZ kicmen at home. Besides the evicted tenants, there were other VaTs on the purse of the national party, for the representatives of th e people had to leave tbeir desks and thur businesses to go to ParHa men- and unless .he means were found they would be Lable to Ro " and then sui-able representatives could not be obtained. He reforrS to the magnificent donation made by Chicago, which had gent £1000 to the f undP, and expressed his belief that the people of New Zealand would not be backward in respond.ng to the appeal for help from beyond tLe sea. After alluding to the prospers state of Ire and en years before the Union, when Dublin was considered one of the iveUest capitals in Europe, he expressed the belief that when, before long, Ireland had once more her native Parliament she would a?iin return to the happy state she once enjoyed, and concluded amid great eppl-use. v The Hon Mr McCollough, who, on coming forward, received quif. an ovation, said that though many of the audience might be as wall acquainted with Irish affairs as he was, yet he had th. advantage of .avmg recently vmted Ireland, and while there had many opportunities o speaking with men of all ehad ?8 of opinion on political and social qaestions agitating the minds of the people at tbe present time He would divide his remarks under the headings of the present poßUion of the Home Bull Bill, the Irish party in the House of Commons, the political feeling in Ireland, and the present position and future of Ir- land. The rejection of the Home Rule Bill by the House of Lords was not a surprise to anyone, owing to the known majority

existing against it in that Chamber, neither need it be a matter of surprise if it were rejected a Becond time, notwithstanding Lord Bosebery's presence there. It hid frequently been asked why did not l^he Commons Ipaßn the BUI spain and send it to the House of Lords to test whether the latter would again reject it. Mr Dillon and others had replied to that query. The Bill was not reintrodneed in the present House from any fear of its rejection, for thovigh the " Grand Old Man " (applause) was there no looger, atill with Lord Bobbery and his Ministers thr-re was no fear as to the results. The point was whether the time wae opportune. Id the opinion of the Liberal leaders it would not be wifse to have it ngaiD passed by the Commons and rejected by the Lords, as it would mean a dissolution and an appeal to the country. Iv the opinion of the whole Liberal p»rty, with which the Irieh members agree, the time waa not yet :ipe for such a course. Another reason was that it would be manifestly unfair to Lord Ros«bery to force his hand, and call on him to prove his sincerity and at once pass a Homa Bnle measure. It would also be unjust to introduce soch a debateable question as Home Bule, which would take up the time of the House to the exclusion of most important Imperial measures more immediately affecting tEngland and Scotland. But another view of the matter was that it enabled the Irish party to prove their loyalty to the Government and, by helping to pass measures of importance to the whole of Great Britain, increase their claims for consideration when Irish questions were under discussion. Besides, there was no need for haite, the Irish party bad received all the assurances it can expect or devise, showing that Lord Bosebery's Government is prepared to push forward Irish interests when called upon to do so. The time was, however, not far distant when the tight would be renewed, and a Home Bule Bill would be an accomplished fact. Lord Bosebery was an upright, con•cientious man, comparatively young and ambitioue to prove himself a statesman. " A friend of truth with soul sincere, In action faithful, and in hononr clear.'

From his (the speaker's) own observation and in the opinion of those fitted to judge, Lord Bosebery is a Liberal in the broadest and truest sense of the word. Speaking of the Irish party in the House of Commons, it was known that there was a split in it, but that party, as a whole, bad given their support to the Government. Tnere was a ■mall minority led by Mr Bedmond, who, though not opposed to the Liberal party, did not always vote with the Government. Thia was a matter of regret, for divisions in a political party were paralysing* and were the greatest source of weakness. He bad inquired the reasons for the division ; why men returned to Parliament for the distinct object of helping their country's cause should quarrel among themselves. It was admitted that the ground for the quarrel was purely personal, and though an unworthy one, yet such is common to human nature. Amongst eighty or ninety men, one or more were sure to be found who, from a feeling that they had been slighted or that they had not been given a more prominent position, would not act with the majority. He had accidentally come across T. P. O'Connor's " Sketches in the House (1893)," in which a p issage occurred showing that when personal vanity is touched a veritable hornet's nest is disturbed. He would read it as an exemplification of what he referred to :—": — " When you touch anything in the shape of personal vanity in politics you have got into a hornet's nest, the moltituduonenesp, the pettiness, the malignity, the unexpectedness of which you can never appreciate. I sometimes gaze upon the House of Commons ie a certain semi-detached spirit, and I ask myself if there can beany place in the whole world where you can see bo much of the mean as well as of the loftiest passions of human nature as in a legislative assembly. .Look at theße men sitting on the same bench and members of the same party — perhaps even with the same great pur. pose to oarry out in public policy, and neither really iv tha least dishonest nor insincere. They are talking in a most amicable m .toner, they pass with all in the world — including themselves— for bosom friends ; and yet at a given moment — in a given situation — they would stab each other in the back without compunction or hesitation, to gain a step ia the race for diatinction. Between two other men

there intervenes not the space of even a Beat ; they are cheek by jowl, and touching each others coat-tails ; and yet there yawni between them a gulf of murderous hate which not years, nor forgiveness, nor recollections of early comradeship will ever bridge over. And look at the House as a whole, and what do you see but a number of fierce ambitions, hatreds, <*nd an'ipathies. natural and acquired — the play of the worst and tb» deadliest passions of the human heart? *bove all th: n gs be assured that therp is scarcely one in all this absembly whose natu-al stock of vanity— tha' dreadful heritage we all tr.ve— has not been nngnimised and sbarpeued by the glare, the npplnnßp, the collisions and frictions of public life. I have heard it said that even the manliest fallow, who has become an actor, is liable lo be filled to a bursting gauge with hatred of the pretty woman who may saa'ch from him a round of applause ; and assuredly every nature is lmble to be soured, infiimed, and degraded by those appaaranoec before the gallery of the public meetioar, the watchful voters, the echoing Press, and all the other agencies that create and register public fame." That was the description given by a man, a member of thi party ; an obgervant man, one who had been in the thick of the intrigues of the House for years, and whose opinion waß worth accepting He, the speaker, would add that the failings of the men described were taten advantage of by their enemies for political ends and altbongh Irish members should, and did, knose those who made friends with and flattered them were the enemies of their country and of their race, yet they allowed themselves to be made tools of. In such circumstances it might he asked should Irishmen in New Zealand contribute funds to the cause, and countenance such even f He would reply, it was no excuse for colonials to ignore their duty, because these man neglected theirs. Besides these men formed a rery small minority in the party. There was an able band of men sticking together and working for the welfare of their countrymen, who are gaining victories daily, and within whoßo reach there is a greater victory than any gained hitherto. On behslf of theße men and for the cause they all loved, the snortcimioes of the minority

Bhould be forgotten The man who made these things an excuse for not contributing did not love hii country. Although "we all cannot eerve our country in the same way, each may do his best accordingly us God has endowed him." We can contribute to the funds, and help to carry out the noble reforms which will give liberty and greater freedom to the land from which they all sprang. If the Irish representa'ives in Parliament were divided, the people in Ireland wera no less divided, but in the latter case into two great divisions, those in favour of Home ttule, and those against. In the north of Ireland the feeling was as strong as ever against Home Bule, but because of ihe lull in tks agitation in the House of Commons, the display of hostility was not so apparent. He had, when in that part of tha country , taken some trouble to get a clear ide* of the causa for the hostility, and to ascertain by wbom the bitterness of feeling was kept alive. Looking at the position from one's colonial experience, it appeared strangt that any 83Ction of the paople of Ireland should refuse to accept the gift of greater freedom ia the management of their local affiirs, when that off>r was made them. Yet such was the case in the north of Ireland, for Home Bule means greater control of local affairs. But why t Was it an objection to the principla underlying Home Bule? If north of Ireland men competent to gira a reply to this question were asked, they showed great reluctance to debate the subject, but when pressed would admit the principle waa sound, yet would add, they had as much local self 'government asthty desired, and were content with the Imperial administration. In support of their arguments they would point to such cities as Belfast, refer to its prosperity, its measure of population, and its industries. They would tell you of their ship-building firms, one of which paid half a million of money yearly in wages, and employed 8,000 men. The Gothic, lately in Wellington, was built in Belfas 1 . If it were advanced that the progress of Belfas: was due to other causes than Impe. rial administration, or even if it ware admitted that in some measure it was due to Government admiuistration, and you added further that the progress might be even greater under a form of Government giving greater control of local affiirs, the former arguments were

repeated, as if people were content they were opposed to changa. Bat by whom was the hostil-ty as^inst Home Bale k»p* all?.:? He was about to expiess opinions which many present might no t approve of. They were, however, the result of his obsei vai.ous acid enqu.rL* He blamed the clergy in great p.rtfor keeping *livu the pouucal feeling in Ireland. It mi^ht appear wrong to accuse religious teacher?, men who preached peace and jjood wilUnioog men, of b.jiog the chief cffoadeis in keeping alive feelintr so co.rrary tj their teaching. It waa well kaown tha> in iraUni the cl.-r./y of al» denominations wero ever ke-u poiitieiara. often p-.ttiemub first a> d clergymen in the second place. Much might be Raid in favour of the interference of the clergy in political aflfiira, bnt whatever arguments were advanced they were only app'icab c to former days. There waß a time in Ireland when the edacated and intelligent sections of the community, aid the clergy were in the ttuin that Bfctior, were cilled upon to lead in temporal as well a« in spiritual nffairß, But that day is ptst, and ha held the opinion lout less interference on the part of the clergy of all d Dominations in matters political would tend to more unanimity of feeling on the part of the people. If a north of Ireland nun lay or clerical, were aeked why he was so much opposed to Home Bale, he would admit after hiving given some of the reasons already referred to, that if Home Rule were granted the people of Ulster would be at the mercy of the Roman Cttholic clergy, the real rulers of Ireland, and at whose bands justice would be denied them. There was no truth in the statements, yet such ideas were held by a large section of the people of Ulster. The Presbyterian clergy, it w a well knowr>, were against Home Rule almost to a man, but they were more opposed to the Roman Catholic clergy than to the principles of Home Rule, The day was passed wheo there was any necessity for the clergy to" interfere in politics, for they could not claim to be the only educated class in the community. There was a time in the history of Ireland when the people were uneducated, wben it was penal to enlighten them. The day when, outside their clergy, the hedge schoolmaster was the only teacher the youth ot the nation bad. That day was, however, passed. The ecclesiastical system m Ireland was not in some respec'B as perfect as that in New Zealand, yet there was within the reach of every child the means for securing sound education and in addition a religious education. The people at large wore being educated also in matters political by the speeches of the statesmen of the Empire, and men were now capable of forming opinions for themselves, and could vote as they thought fh at the elections for members of Parliament. To-day was tue day of individualism in matters of Ohurch as well as of State, when men understood they were responsible for their actions and opinions in all the relations of life. He did not wish it understood that he thought the clergy uf any denomination were incapable of giving good advice to the members of their flocks, or would give bad advice, bat clergymen taking sides in politics tended to keep alive that bitterness of feeliDg which all deprecated. If some understanding could be arrived at by the heads of all the churches whereby the clergy should in the fu'are devote their attention more to spiritual and less to political affairs ; he thought it would, in Ireland at least, go far towards lesseuing the display of party feeling, and would promote more peace and gojd will among men. As to the Evicted Tenants' Bill, it would be for the future historian to sty how much the world owed to the Irish agitators, but in his opinion thn agitation for Home Rule had been a potent fetorf ctor in the political education, not only of the people of England and Ireland, but tnosc of other nations. It called attention to the question of local selfgovernment and to the rights of the individual, and in eorae respects bad worked almost a social revolution in Great Britain. The misunderstandings of the EDglish people as to their Irish neighbours were being dispelled, and English constituencies had returned members pledged to support the Bonu Bule Bill, and the people of both countries were now more in touch. Ha considered the Evicted Tenants' Bill the most remarkable Bill introduced into the House of Commons for many years ; it said in effect that wronc* had bonn done in the past, men had, been evicted from their lands unlawfully and unjastly, and it proposed to put them back again. Thai was an admission by the House of Commons and the representatives of th« English people of the wrong-doing of the past and of their intention to right it. It also said ihat ih« day waa lor ever past when a landowner can "do as he likes with his own land." The Slate had stepped in and claiaed the right to interfere between the owner and the tenant, to say how much rent he msy claim, and prevent him from interfering with the righ's of the tenant. Taat was one of the greatest strides made in legislation for years. It laid down the principle that the State ein interfere between owner and teoant. In New Zealand, in the Lanifl for Settlements Bill, a further advance ia land legislation was attempted. The day was not far distant wben ia England ihera would be a similar law. Tne large land owners there would have to give up their surplus land because the working man, the artism, and the people in the slums required It, and, on their behalf, the State would demand it. Fifty years ago who would have said that the " sacred " rights of land wonld have been interfered with as they are to- Jay.

I The Evicted Te nanta' Bill bad been tbrowo out in the Lords bat Mr I Mor'ey intended to re-introduce it n?xt se-isi >n. It would probably j b> placed in the saiae position as fie Him) Rule Bill, and then , wo-Wd b • the tim to 30 t , the country. Mr Dillon had e*id M him, vV-) w>..u tbd eec oos pui, oil for tiglitucii mouths at leas'." The , off ncs of tho Lor-iR are mono 'ing up It is only a matter of time wt.eu the House o[ Lords wil' ba tolJ as Dlainly as a majority of member;) in the Hours of Commotis can, that t'm day has gone by whf.i they can prop legislation With security of tenuie, brought a'j. i! by the flv.ole! Ti-uaata 1 3i'.:, «ith ihe land divided into ermll arena ; with the removal of restrictive legislation, a»d with a parliament simnu? in Dublin, Ireland will rise to a state of prosperity that wil! be a marvel to those wh) live to see it. There is a change already noticeable in the country. " Upon her hilln — al«.ng her plains Iq the green bosom of her valleys The new born soul of Freedom rallies." The Irish people wera bscoming more patient, they cm see that a little time is alone wanted and good days will be theirs. The time for rioltnce, the taking of the law into one's own hand, the only resource of the down trodden and desperate man, was, happily, past I Reliance was now placed in the power of the law, in that sense of | justice that wrongs would be righted. Tint the people were patient was further proved by tun cablegrams of that evening which said I that the Irish farmers were refusing to accept the connsel of those who were urging violence. At one time Ireland was on account of her climate aad natural advantages, one of the greatest butter pro. dacing caun'iies in tha world, and to- lay thera are signs of her recovery in that respect, for factories were being started all over the country. In Limerick, Clare, Cork, Kilkenny, ani Tipperary there were no less tban thirty-fiva dairy associations, with a membership of fifteen hundred persons, a capital of £12 000, and £21,000 invested in plant and factory building. Toe butter sold last year realised £128 000 At tha dairy show in Lonion Irish manufactured butter to ck seven out of eight prizes offered, that was good evidence as to quality. Men ware beins? educated to ccc the use of co-operation, and were taking advan age of the new ideas on farming. He had par iculariy noticed this in tha County of Louth where the soil is good and well cultivated. In Limerick, Tipperary and parts of Cork, the whole country appeared to him different to what he had anticipated. He was told a change for the better was coming over the people in every part of Ireland, for they were stimulated by the hope of better dayß in store. What he saw was but an earnest of what was to come. Freedom ana liberty were not yet Ireland's portion, but they were not far distant; they wer» within an appreciable distance. All present might live to see the Home Rule Bill passed and a Parliament sitting in Dublin. It would be a day of rejeing, and althoogh far away from Irelaud we still might claim a share in bringing about her happy state, for we had contributed funds to help forward a righteous cause. An Australian poet thinking of that day when Federation would be an accomplished fact, and greater freeiom would be the possession of the new nation, had written lines which very well might have betn written by an Irish poet whose heart was longing to see the day when his native land would be free. " She is not yet ; but He whose ear Thrills to that finer aimosphere Where footfalls of appointed thiogs, Reverberant of days to be Are beard in forecast tchoings Like wave-beats from a viewless sea — Hears io the voicrfnl tremors of the sky Hhe is not yet ; hut H 1 wnose sight Foreknows the advent of the light, Wlioae soul to morning radiance turns K,'re night her curtain hath witndrawn, And in its quivmng folds discerns Tne tnut^ monitions of the riawn, With urg-nt Henae strain d onward to descry Hor distant tokens, starts to find her nigh." (Loud and continued applause.) Mr O V D. a proposed a vote of hearty thanks to Mr McCutlough, be had paiated a very pleasant picture of what the future of Ireland would ba. We all hud our duty to perform, namely, to support tha Irish Parliamentary party and we ought to combine for that purpose. Tuere had been scaraely anything but devastation all over Ireland year after yeu for a long time, families evicted and banished, and it would have ben so still hut for the Irish Party. That party was in an unfortunate position being financially weak, Justin McCarthy having lately stated that it waa utterly wanting in funds, and those of i- wbo could not aff trd to pay tb*> expenses of attending in London had, perforce, to remain at home, and Mr McCarthy also said the? would bemterly failing in their duty if they did not make known their poskion. In almost every paiisb in Ireland money had be.eu borrow d aad the Nationalists had gjne security for it. He would like to seethe people of New Zaal.nd do something better thaa merely hold meetings cash w-is wnat was required, and he hoped to sea the people of WeJHugton do some hing more to the purpose (applause).

Mr Bohan had much pleasure in seconding the motiou. The people of Wellington had to thank the Hon Mr McCutlough for ■howing tbe state of Bffairs at Home in its true colours, and he hoped when an uppeal was made that very few would be found who would not subscribe to the funds liberally. Wellington had dooe its part on other occasions and would, he was sur*, do so again. They bad Bent Home £1,000 from Wellington previously and he trusted they would be able to send another thousand to help to achieve the victory now so near at hand (applause.) The resolution was put ani carried unanimously, and on Mi Healey calling for thres cheers for Mr McOullough they were given with true heartiness, for which the hon gentleman returned thanks. The chairman explained tb*t tbe money from the Parnell fund banked in Paris would not be available till December, and suggested* that th§ towns in the Wellington dis'rict should be organised and canvassed, «nd he felt sure the donations from the branches co organised would amount to a gnodly cum. He algo called attention to the social gathering which would take place on tbe lO'-h of September in aid of the funds. The Hon Mr Jennings proposed a vote of thanks to the chairman, which being seconded was carried, and that gentleman having returned thanks for the compliment the meeting dispersed.