VISIT OF MR MICHAEL DAVITT TO NEW ZEALAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIII, Issue 27, 1 November 1895, Page 23

VISIT OF MR MICHAEL DAVITT TO NEW ZEALAND.

A MBETTNO was held in tbe Chamber of Commerce, Du'iedin, on Thursday evening to take s'eps to give Mr Michael Davitt on his arrival in this city a proper reoeption and to promote the success of a lecture to be delivered here by him. There were present the Very Rtv Father Lynch, Adm , the Rev Father Murphy ; Messrs J. B. Callan, J. P. Armstrong, Colcougb, A. 3. Barclay, Judge, F. Meenan, Morkane, J. J. Connor, J. O'Connor, F. Armstrong, J. Carroll, J. Liston, D. Heffernan, O'Connell, T. Heffernan, Collins, H. Griffen, J. F. Perrin, Murtagh, and J. Murray. Mr Callan was moved to the chair, and Mr Murray was appointed hon secretary.

Tbe chairman explained that tbe meeting had been convened to consider the steps necessary to give Mr Davitt, on his arrival in Dunedin, a proper reception. He came to lecture on general subjects, not— as the Irißh delegates, tbe Messrs Redmond and Dillon, and Sir Thomas Eamonde, — to speak on Irish matters, only and to collect money in connection with them. Mr Davitt was making his tour apart from any organisation, aod his lectures were on subjects tbat appealed to all classes. He had worked hard in tbe interests of tbe labouring classes. A resident of Dunedin, who had recently been in the Old Country, bad told him (ihe chairman) that be regarded Mr Davitt as tbe most prominent representative of tbeße classes. His lectures were on a wide basis and interested not one class only but the people generally. He lectured independently, engaging a hall and charging for admission, in the same way as other lecturers, for instance Messrs Forbes, Stanley and Haweis. It was needless for him (the chairman) to dwell on wnom Mr Davitt was or what he bad done. In his opinion be was the most disinterested man ia public life. He was an unselfish, able, public man who devoted bis life to tbe cause of his fellow-men — not only to his own countrymen but to all those who needed his assistance. He was beloved by all those people who knew him, He was a journalist of high standing, a wiiter who was respected wherever he was known. Those who bad read the reports of bis addresses were anxious that he should have a good rtceptioii. In the other colonies great success had been attained. The fact was that Mr Davitt had incurred, in course of his public life, a heavy loss, and be bad undertaken his tonr to reimburse himself. Meantime the general elections bad coma iff, and to this purpose he had devoted the funds. He had sent Home, if he (the chairman) recollected aright, a sum of £2,000. It was, therefore, right that here they should do what they could to make the lectures successful. Mr Davitt deprecated and condemned all public display When be was lately about to visit Qaeensland, for instance, he wrote to his committee there begging of them to avoid public addresses and processions. The chairman read Mr Davitt's letter, as quoted by the N.Z. Tablet, The characteristic shown was not very common in public men. They must comply with Mr Davitt's wishes by avoiding everything of the kind mentioned. Still arrangements should be made to give him a cordial reception.

Mr Murray stated that he had received communications from all parts of tbe Colony in which an anxiety was expressed to receive Mr Davitt.

Tbe chairman said that all would depend on the time Mr D.vitt proposed to Bpend in New Zaaland. If he adhered to his present arrangements, of leaving Auckland by the Alameda on November 30, be would simply have to ruth through the country. A cable to tbe following (Sect bad been sent to him : " Give us two months. Post-

pone voyage Homt. Time h:re too short," but do reply had as yet been received.

Mr J. J. Oonnor spoke in support of giving Mr Davitt a proper reception and promotiog the success of bis visit. He added tbat, taking into consideration Mr Davitt's relationship towards the labour organisations at Home he bad waited on representatives of the Trades aud Labour Council, and invited their^ attendance thii evening.

Mr Judge expressed the pleasure he felt »n being present. He was there, however, only as an individual and not as representing any particular body. He would, nevertheless, be glad to recom« mend the Trades and Labour Council and the Workers' Political Committee to take part in the matter — if necessary having a special meeting called for tbe purpose.

Mr A. B. Barclay moved—" That ell present this evening band themselves into a committee to prepare for the reoeption of Mr Davitt." There appeared to be a singular unanimity amongst all classes at Home that Mr Davitt was a disinterested and pure-minded man. From what he (the speaker) could gather no purer minded man or greater patriot ever lived, and few that bad suffered bo mnch.

Mr F. Meenan seconded the motion which was carried unanimously.

Tbe committee was empowered to add to tbeir number, and Mr John Murray was appointed convener.

The secretary was instructed to write to the Trades and Labonr Council, the Workers' Political Committee, and to the Knights of Labour, asking their co-operation.

The meeting then went into committee to consider minor details.

The following gentlemen were appointed a cub-committee to carry out the arrangements decided on :— The Very Rev Father Lynch, and Messrs Callan Oolclougb, Barclay, and Murray. It was further reeolved that Mr Davitt Bhould be accompanied in bis carriage from the terminuß to his hotel by the Very Rev Father Lynch and Messrs J. B. Callan and J. P. Armstrong.