THE IRISH CAUSE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXII, Issue 16, 16 August 1895, Page 20

THE IRISH CAUSE.

The annual social gathering of the Wellington Branch of the Irish National Federation took place at the Skating fiink last night, and was very largely attended. ilPu „ ( „ ,> , IC^ lU . > :r-l): r -l) ! The Hon W. J. Steward took the, chair,,, and, speakings as an Bnglishman^said he thought that if, Home TJiile, i anTaccompiisfied fafcl, greater loyalty and greater h'appine's9/woujd^exis t t. . The day * was' not _'far distant' when' there wjould be a local, Parliament for each portion* of the Empire, and an Imp9rial Parliament to. decide questions 'of a general character. , . (, ' ,r, r , , Mr A. S. Patterson, in an addreßs on the views, of the Liberal Party ns to Ireland, said that from the gallery of the Housejof Com mdns "he had witnessed the first efforts of Parnell and.Biggar to obtain redres's'for Ireland. He stigmatised Mr Joseph Chamberlain as* a' cowardly ciir and traitor, who jbatrayed Mb i ßeader I^lßßs-86.. He regretted the disastrous result of the recent general election to the Liberal Party,' and said that while Ireland wanted to support every Imperial interest, she only deßired' to administer hex own domestic affairs; 1 ' " ' "' ' ' " ' ■'" : - ''" ■ ■ Mr Collins, M.H.8., believed in Home Bule because he was a Democrat. If the. movement was at a low ebb at the present,' then, a glorious opportunity off ere I itself to show' their energy and enthusiasm for a great cause. Mr O'B.egan, M.H.8., spanking as to Ireland's future said that though thoLiberal Party had met" with a rebnff at the recent elections » the time would certainly come when it would sneceed to power with iucreased majorities, and Inland would be conceded her just and natural rights. Ha believed in Federal Home Bule, giving' England* Wales, Scotland and Ireland separate Parliaments. On the motion of Mr J. Driscoll, a hearty vote of thanks was given to the speakers. Mr Driscoll said that £140 had been remitted from Wellington to the Irish Parliamentary fund during the last' 12 months. A capital programme of songs, etc., was "given at intervals batween the addreasea by Misa Nampfon, Mrs Miller, and Mr 15. D. Donne. Each perform* r was encored with entbusi em. Mrs !)• Walsh was the accompanist. Mr Cimino's orchestra played appro" priate selection?, and also supplied !he mu^ic for the dances. Messr Robirson and Dannehy were tha M.O.'s. Mr W. F, H;ly acted as secretary to the committee which carried .>ut t v ie irrangaments. Mr Mirtia Kennedy handed to the secretary a cheque for five guineas, accompvsied by a letter a'a'i'g hia opinion that tho' Nationalists deserve the support of their frienJs in Australasia aa as much as ever they did .