MR MICHAEL DAVITT.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXII, Issue 18, 30 August 1895, Page 18

MR MICHAEL DAVITT.

It is. probable that Mr Michael Davitt will ariwe in Dunedin about the middle of next month. His intention is, we understand, to commence his lectures in this city, afterwards making his way North, and finally catching the San Francisco mail at Auckland. Mr Davitt is, possibly, not aware that audiences at Invercargill may be desirous to hear him, or that, in centres that lie between that town and Dunedin, he would receive a welcome. We would, therefore, j ropose to the various parties interested that they should, without delay, acquaint him with their wishes in letters addressed for him to the care of Mr Joseph Winteb, Advocate Office, Melbourne. It will, however, not be fair to invite Mr Davitt to deliver a lecture anywhere unless there is a certain assurance that his compliance would be duly remunerated. Mr Davitt's intention in visiting the colonies, as our readers will, no doubt, recollect, was to reimburse himself by means of a course of lectures for heavy expenses, which had been incurred by him. He did not come in a political character, or as the emissary of any party. At once, nevertheless, when the dissolution occurred and he saw the necessity, he generously set aside his personal object and devoted his services to the national cause. He borrowed — with sufficient guarantees — a sum of £1000, which he immediately forwarded to Ireland. 1 his sum has now been repaid by him, and his friends are agreed that he has for the present as fully, as generously, done his part in the matter. ' It is therefore understood that Mr Davitt resumes hie original design, and travels as a lecturer in his own private interests. We need hardly recommend the matter to the consideration of our friends, who will recognise, without any persuasion on our part, its fairness and justice. Nor is it necessary that we Bhould spend many words in bespeaking for the lecturer in every town of the colony visited by him a hearty reception and a full attendance at his lectures. It is indeed doubly just and necessary that the lecturer should be well supported in bis undertaking. He has not only lost a considerable sum by the sacrifice to which we have alluded, but he has through tbe same elections, to aid in defraying whose expenses he devoted his services, incurred fr^sh responsibilities. He has been himself returned to Parliament, and the expense thus imposed upon him — a residence, awaj from his home, for a large part of the year, in London, being involved in the matter — must necessarily be heavy. However, as we have said, it is not our part to plead with our readers on behalf of Mr Michael Davitt. There are few, if, indeed, there are any of them who are not themselves well acquainted with him — with his character, his history, and his personal claims upon the sympathy of every one who sympathises with Ireland. The announcement made by us, that Mr Davitt's visit to New Zealand is impending, will, in short, be welcome news to all who read the Tablet.