MR. MARTIN KENNEDY ON THE GREAT CONVENTION.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIV, Issue 44, 26 February 1897, Page 13

MR. MARTIN KENNEDY ON THE GREAT CONVENTION.

("From our own Correspondent.) The members of the Wellington branch of the Irish National Federation held a meeting in St. Patrick's Hall on Monday night, when the principal business was to hear an address from Mr. Martin Kennedy, who, it will be remembered, had been appointed delegate from this Colony to the great National Convention held in Dublin some months ago, and which was representative of the Irish race throughout the world. Mr Kennedy was one of the speakers at that convention, and naturally as a visitor to Ireland and free from partisanship, had a srood opportunity of bringing away with him a distinct and impartial impression of the true state of affairs. It was no wonder, then, that the members of the Federation and those interested in Irish affairs attended in large numbers, so large, indeed, that the hall was altogether inadequate to accommodate all those who desired to get admission. Mr. Driscoll occupied the chair, and in the course of his introductory remarks said they should be proud that evening to have Mr. Kennedy to address them. It showed that the Irishmen of Wellington were imbued with a spirit of patriotism towards Ireland in sending Mr. Kennedy to represent them at the great Convention held in Dublin last year. Of course there were people who said they should not trouble themselves about Ireland and her affairs. But so long as they had patriotism in their hearts and so long as Ireland was denied the right of self-government they would trouble themselves about her affairs. The day, he thought, was not far distant when Home Rule would be granted to that country they all loved so well, and in which many of them first saw the light of day. Ireland, he pointed out, was only asking for what had been granted with advantage to other countries, and justice demanded that her request should be complied with. Mr. Kennedy, who was received with loud and enthusiastic applause, said that he proposed to give a brief rexume of the meeting of the Convention. For some time, prior to the holding of the Convention, prognostications were indulged in with reference to the result of this meeting of Irishmen from all parts of the world, and many of its opponents said that nothing would come of it ; that the attendance would be limited, in fact, that it would be a failure. All these predictions had been falsified, for it was one of the largest meetings of a like nature ever held in Dublin. There were present from 3000 to 3.100 delegates, representing the Irish race in all parts of her Majesty's dominions as well as the United States. One of the most eminent ecclesiastics in Ireland — the Most Rev. Dr. O'Donnell, Bishop of Raphoe — was selected to preside. Instead, however, of confining himself to his own impressions of the Convention and the result of the deliberations of the delegates, he thought it would be more agreeable to the meeting that he should read extracts from the reports of the proceedings. Having done this, Mr. Kennedy went on to say that all shades of opinion were represented by the delegates, and whatever their differences might

be, they were pledged to one thing— viz., that the majority should rule. A series of resolutions had been carried at the Convention, the most important one of these being that the Irish Nationalists should beunited with the Irish Party to promote the cause of unity. Mr. Kennedy advised his hearers to procure some of the pamphlets containing a report of the proceedings, a perusal of which would give them a very good idea of the important character of the Convention and the unanimity which prevailed there on vital matters. After referring to the scurrilous manner in which the delegates had been attacked by the organ of the Redmond Brothers, Mr. Kennedy concluded his address by saying that he believed that Home Rule would be granted not alone to Ireland, but also to Scotland. England, he contended, was not in a position to attend to the wants of Ireland, as Parliament was too much occupied in attending to Imperial and Foreign affairs. How. he asked, would the people of this Colony like to have their affairs managed by a parliament sitting in Sydney, and composed in a great measure of men who knew but little of our affairs|? He trusted they would agree with him that it would be unwise to let the minority in Ireland rule, and why should they withhold their support because a few people ■wished to rule the majority ? It would be injudicious to refrain from subscribing until unity was obtained (applause). On the motion of the Very Rev. Father Devoy, seconded by Mr. Twomey, a very hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Kennedy for his interesting address, the proposition being carried amidst loud and prolonged applause. In returning thanks Mr. Kennedy intimated that it was his intention to start a subscription list in aid of the funds of the Irish Party, and he would give as his contribution £50 (applause.) Three hearty cheers were given for Mr. Kennedy at the close of the meeting 1 .