Mr. William O'Brien in Sydney.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 2, 9 January 1902, Page 3

Mr. William O'Brien in Sydney.

Mb. William O'Brien, M.P., waß entertained at a banquet at Fern Bay, Sydney, on Sunday, December 22, when there was an attendance of about 200 ladies and gentlemen. After the banquet »n open-air meeting was held when Mr. O'Brien addressed an assemblage of about 1500 persons. Apologies for non-attendance at the banquet were read from his Eminence Cardinal Moran, his Grace Archbishop Kelly, the Very Rev. Dean O'Haran, and Rev. Father Walshe (P.P., Maclean). The chairman apologised for the absence of Mr. P. E. Quinn, M.L.A., who had met with an accident. Mr. O'Brien was accompaniment by his wife. Dr. McCarthy presided. In addressing the open-air meeting Mr. O'Brien said that he had been told by Mr. Dillon and others who had visited Australia that the men and women of Irish birth and parentage in this land were amongst the truest and most faithful adherents of their cause to be found anywhere. His chief difficulty in speaking to them was that he had so much to say that it was hard to make a selection, but he took it that he was not far wrong in saying that the thing of all others about -which they desired to hear was that the Irish people were again united. He could say, without an atom of doubt or reserve, that Ireland was once more a United Ireland, and that her unity was one which was going to stand the test of time. He would not say this if he were not convinced that, as far as

human things could be certain, they might dismiss from their minds any apprehension that a state of dissension would ever again divide the hearts of Ireland's true and generous sons. Those who were ranged on opposite sides during the great conflict of 1890 were now united, and were standing shoulder to shoulder again for Ireland At the last general election young men who were strangers to the old bitterness and recriminations came to the front, and the people were now just as much afraid of dissension as the people of Sydney were of bubonic rats. As to the genuineness of ths union, he would point out that for many years the people could not be brought to subscribe anything for the funds, but in the last 12 months since the new unioi had como about in the new Irish party, the people had subscribed £10 000 to the general election tund, over £10,000 to the parliamentary fund, and over £5000 to the general purposes of the United Irish fund. That made more than £25,000 given by the people themselves in 12 months. It was only three years ago that the three sections of the Irish party were spoken of in the English House of Commons with contempt and ridicule, and with a great deal of refined Saxon sarcasm about the KUkenny cats. It was supposed that the three factions had only to be left to themselves, when they would tear one another ; but now it was the one united party in the House of Commons. The other parties were like the Kilkenny cats, and those animals had been transformed into naturalised English citizens. The unfortunate Liberal party had become so divided and leaderless that it had practically thrown up the reins of Opposition and given them into the hands of the Irish members. The Unionist majority was torn by dissension, and the only thing on which it was united was alarm at the Inch party. Now the Government were proceeding to waste one-half of next session in framing laws to gag the Irish members for wasting the other half. lie, however, did not fear their efforts at gagging. Then again, there was the talk of reducing the Irish representation in the House of Commons— in defiance of the Act of Union. He did not fear that either. The cause of Ireland did not he altogether m the number of members so much as the individuals composing it. If they were going to cut them down to 60, or even 40 members, those members would still champion the cause of Ireland Home Eule would come sooner or later— perhaps sooner • the English people would beg them to take it ; and he was not going to say that the people would be satisfied with the Home Eule of Gladstone. They might want something more. There was already such a change of feeling in Ireland that the landlords were agitating for the abolition of landlordism. The people would not be satisfied until they saw the Government purchasing the rich lands in the centre of Ireland for the use of the Irish people, where they could place a sturdy peasantry upon the soil, and he hoped the tide of emigration would be stemmed until that was brought about ; while for the laboring classes the cottage homes system would be brought into existence in all parts, as it had already been brought about in parts of their country. As Mr. O'Brien sat down hearty cheers were given for him.