NEW PLYMOUTH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 3, 17 January 1907, Page 12

NEW PLYMOUTH.

There was a big crowd at the Theatre Royal, New Plymouth, on Tuesday iri<ght, January 8 (says the ' Taranaki Daily News '),■ to hear one of the most logical, forceful, yet eloquent and impassioned ad-

dresses that New Plymouth has ever heard— that delivered by Mr. J-. Devlin, M.P., the envoy of the Irish National Party, on the tex,t, 'Home Rule for Ireland.' His Worship the Mayor presided, and x there were also on the" platform Messrs. E. M, Smith, M.H.R., W. T. Jennings, M.TI.R.,' - Very Rev. Dean McKerina, Rev." Father' McManus, Rev. H. Bradbury, Dr. ' McCleland, Messrs. J. H. Parser, L. M. Monteath, J. J. Sulli- ' van, and Buckley. The speaker was introduced by his Worship the Mayor, ~who made some interesting , remarks on the movement • in. favoT" of Ireland's self- - government. It was fortunate for Ireland arid for the best "interests of her people, that with education had come ' the policy" of appealing to ' reason, -making this^" a constitutional movement, and avoiding all those revolutionary agitations that for so many years had retarded the growth of the Home Rule sentiment. He - had always been a Home Ruler, and -he was proud of the advance made towards the emancipation" "- of " Ireland and the granting of freedom to "manage her- • own affairs. He referred to the -Irish land laws recently passed to enable tfte Irish tenantry to obtain possession of the land they cultivated. Home Rule, he claimed, would soon bring Ireland on to even terms w*fth those countries which had obtained such, a great lead from her commercially and industrially. At -the conclusion of Mr. Devlin's "address, whichV- ~ was mainly on the lines of those delivered elsewhere, Mr. W. T. Jennings moved—' That this meeting, after' hearing Mr. Joseph Devlin, M.P. for West Belfast, is of opinion that t!!e -granting, of self-government .for -Ireland would result, as has been proved in- Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, in strengthening the bonds of and consolidating the Empire. ' The Rev. Bradbury seconded;" and- Mr. E. Mr Smith / and Dr. McCleland also spoke briefly._ - The motion 'Was carried amidst cheering. -Mr. Devlin, in rising"— bo return thanks to the meeting, and to move a vote of thanks to the chaif, was loudly cheered, and the meeting closed with the rsinging of the National Anthem. Mr. D." McKinnon Bain's v orchestra ' played' a programme of Irish music during the evening. At the conclusion of the meeting, Mr. ., and Mrs.' ~ D. O'Brien invited Mr. Devlin with tFie members of the, ' committee and friends, to a supper in the Criterian Hotel. Mr. W. T. Jennings, M.H.R., occupied the head of the table, and first called upon the Rev. H. Bradbury to propose the toast of the- committee who had brought - the meeting to such a successful issue. Dr: McCleland returned thanks on behalf of the committee. Mr. Devlin, in well-chosen words, proposed - . the toast of the host and hostess for their magnificent - hospitality and the- excellent N supper they had- provided. Mr. O'Brien responded. Mr. W-, G. Malone proposed 'Home Rule for Ireland,' coupled with the name of Mr. Devlin/ Mr. W. Kerr also spoke on the subject, , and was the means of calling forth a most feeling and sympathetic reply from Mr. Devlin. A most enjoyable gathering was brought to a close with the singing of ' Auld' Lang Syne.' LAWRENCE: -, Mr. Donovan addressed his second meeting in New Zealand in t,he Town Hall, Lawrence, on Wednesday evening of last week. The attendance (says the 'Tuapetaa Times') was large, all classes and* creeds 'being represented. The chair was 'occupied 'by the Mayor(.Mr. J. B. M'Kinlay), and on the platform were the Very Rev. Mgr. O'Leary, the Rev. Father Lynch, and Messrs. P. MvlnerneyM v lnerney (chairman Tuapeka County Council), J. K. Simpson,- and M. O'Connell.The Chairman, in introducing Mr. : Donovan, said it" was hardly necessary for -him to explain the object of their .meeting. Mr. Donovan had come to them from across the ocean . to speak to i them on an interesting ~.u>b'jettt-whether they were favorably or otherwise dis- - posed to it— viz., Home Rule for Ireland, and he felt sure he would receive a good reception. -,+, + MiM i Donov an's speech was received with markedattention, and was frequently applauded, and at its " close the Chairman announced that an opportunity would now be given to those -who wished to give material assistance to the cause, and this was freely availed of, upwards of £70 was collected,- .' i ' M^ J - K - "Simpson "moved: l ,That this' meeting heartily welcomes Mr. Donovan and approves of the principle of self-government as being the right of ■ 'the people and tending to strengthen the bonds' of the Empire, .as well as contribute to the freedom and happiness of the people- of Ireland.' . In' speaking to the motion he said he did not think anyone who had enjoyed the privilege of -living -in a country -like New /jeaiana, with its free institutions, would deny the same privilege to the people of Ireland, and he felt that

the time was not far distant when the people of that country, who had suffered great hardships, would 'be gcari'ted this great boon. , . % -Mr. MTherney seconded the motion, 'with the .re- ■ mark that he -.believed" all present " whd came to the meeting opposed to Home Rulers were now converted by the eJoguent address delivered by Mr. Donovan. The motion was put and carried, unanimously. -A motion of thanks to Mr. Donovan for his in- * teresting address was moved by Mr. W. F. Smyth, seconded by the Very Rev. Mgr. Q'Leary, "and carried by acclamation. Mr. Donovan gracefully acknowledged the compliment, and moved -v a hearty vote -of thanks to the chairman for the" able manner' in which he -had presided over the meeting. - , . WELLINGTON. ' '_ (By telegraph from our own correspondent.) . " . ' January 14. The, socfal- gathering tendered on Saturday evening to- the Irish envoy, Mr. Devlin, by the supporters ot the. Home Rule movement, was a most enthusiastic one and' a fitting tribute to the personal devotion of the delegate and to the "popularity ' of the mission on which -he has .entered. fcS upper tables' were laid in the concert chamber of' the Town Hall- but. the seating accommodation was .altogether insufficient for the numbers - that, "attended. Music in harmony with the nature of the function was discoursed, by a' fine string band, under the direction of Mr. -W. McLaiighlin. 'Patriotic songs were , contributed by Misses * McKay anu Hamilton, and "Messrs.- Foote and Carr, and Master Foote.- - ' ' ~ . • -~~~ The toast of His Majesty, the King having been duly honored; tire chairman (Mr. Martin Kennedy^ referred to the object of the' gathering, as. -a desire to show - their appreciation .of Mr. Devlin's services in the cause* of Ireland, arid" Iheir hearty- sympathy- yfttih .the Home Rule movement. The newspapers were speaking of a' split in the Irish party, but there .was no split at all. *" A few " persons had left the s party because they could ~ not . get things air their own way. The Very Rev. Father Kcogh, S.M., then proposed the toast of ' Ireland a nation. 1 He said rip __words of his were needed to induce Irishmen to honor such a toast. Ireland- had been i. nation from the beginning, and with God's blessing would be a nation .to - the end. He outlined the history ' of_ the desire for self-government and said that- Ireland 'Hid. not want to be separated from England; all that she ■ asked was that her own domestic troubles and annoyances- should be settled on College Green. The toast, proposed and honored amidst great enthusiasm,- was fittingly a2kno,wledged by Mr. J. Carey Fitzgerald. „ The toast, of ' Our Guest ' was proposed by Mr. P. Ji. O' Regan, who' referred ,to Mr". Devlin as a highly distinguished Irishman and-* am ember of a party which had nobly fought, not only for' national ' freedom, - but for the amelioration, of the conditions of human, life. The toast -was. drunk with musical •honors. s . _ __.•'•--- ' - Messrs. John Hutcheson and D. McLaren also spokt* in eulogistic terms of the justice of ."Ireland's demand, the great sacrifices' made by the Irish party, and the good - work done by the Irish members in bettering the_jconditions of ■-the' workers of the Home lands. - Mr. Devlin, on rising to respond,- received a fino oviation. He was profoundly grateful - for the' warmth" and enthusiasm with which the toast had been honored. He took it not as v a personal 'tribute" .to himself, but as a tribute to the party of which he wasi a member. There was a recent incident which had been - cabled out with wonderful skill and ingenuity,^ and it was regarded as a -serious matter.- . But _what was the extent of it ? One Irish member left - tho party about three years ago, because he differed fr<sm his colleagues, and since then he had attacked the party. - That was simply a case of ' one man" falling from the .ranks'; but the great army . remained and "was still carrying on the work" 1 for which it was called into existence. { Applause.) He had- _cbme" out here to ask the people of New Zealand to assist the Irish party. (Cheers, and a voicej" 'So we will '),_because it -was a united party, and as long as eightythree members of Parliament remained bound under one authorised leader, the- people of New Zealand might trust the cause of Irish nationality in their . hands. He thanked the people of New Zealand , for " their per- • sonal kindnesses and for their splendid assistance. Other toasts honored ' The Land 'we Live in ' and v ' The Chairman.' Mr. Devlin spoke for nearly an hour.. r - '__ _ • Wellington's gift to the Irish cause amounts now to £520, ahdj^is expected shortly to reach £600.

HAWERA. (By telegraph from our ow/i correspondent.) Mr. Devlin's visit to Hawera ■ was iv every sense a brilliant success. The v orator of Wednesday is the same Master 'Devlin -whom Mr. Sexton complimented eighteen years ago for a most beautiful and striking ' speech. Since then— and no doubt inspired by Ms predecessor in the seat— he has made the history of his country's wron&s and sorrows and glories his constant study and meditation ; his "heart has wept and bled over her trials ; and -he has made " plans for winning back her olden glories, till Ms tears and' hi* efforts have fashioned him into what T. .P. O'Connor^, described in a great speech in Liverpool the other day : ' One of the ablest, most eloquent, bravest., purest men Ireland ever enlisted in her ranks, is mj beloved friend Joseph Devlin. It was inevitable, that every Irishman in the district should answer the roll-call on Wednesday to rally round this pure-soulcd patriot. It was inevitable that Mr. Devlin should supply the keenest logic for. subtle Celtic minds, and, sweeping their responsive heart strings, play like a mighty master on their tenderest emotions. His pleading of Erin's cause (as one of the local speakers remarked) ' was a fulfilment 'of the prophecy :— §. - ' -The stranger shall-; hear thy lament on his plaint, The sigh of thy harp shall be sent o'er the deep ; ' And thy masters themselves, as they rivet thy chains, Shall pause at the song of their- captive, and weep '. Versatility truly "marvellous ! At Major's, where Mr. Devlin was entertained at supper with the committee, his response to the toast was ' a gem ■of - s purest ray serene '. I have heard .nothing so beautiful in- my life.The local priests, whose guest he' was, say they will neve? forget the charm of his personality. The local paper describes his speech as • a logical and oratorical triumph, dispelling distrust and ' fostering a. spirit of oneness, setting out the wrongs of his ' country in a style and form which carry conviction. His utterances are from a heart bleeding for his country's undeflng. Mr. Maior, member for the district, and also chairman of the meeting, proposed that the meeting i extend to Mr. Devlin's mission its moral and material support. He bestowed the highest praise on Mr. Devlin, and declared that his speech that evening ' was the most magnificent oration he (Mr. Major) ever heard— a glorious address, without vituperation or dtJnunciation. Mr. Robbins, ex-Mayor of Hawera, seconded the motion. In a brilliant speech he said 'he saw the beuelits of self-government in his native Canada. ' Father Power, chairman of tihe- reception commit--tee in what Mr, Devlifi described as a touching aud pathetic address, pioposed a vote of thanks to the orator of the evening. lie told Mr. De'vlin he -need not fear for the ancient race, with twenty-three millions of them- far from the green shores of Erin. Absence -makes the heart grow fonder.' Mr. O'Brien, an old playmate of Mr. Devlin, seconded the motion in a well-timed speech. Mr. Devlin ireturned thanks to the chairman and praised his sagacity for identifying himself with t»ie lAsh party, that has done so much for true democracy. - ' - ' The financial results of the meeting surpassed oH<expectations. The original intention was to hold one meeting at Hawera lor 'all South T-aranaki, and it' was expected that about £100 would be raised Ulrt ? la^ c l y , JPJ P . atea threw in its lot with- Wamgamii. ' Stra't- *?£» xT ltS ., , OWn successful meeting,- contributing *■ . ™™ Nev S- theless llawur a netted the magnificent su m - of £220: Every IMsh Catholic from Hawera to Opunake subscribed. -Fifty Irishmen of magnificent physique, and as straight and . handsome as kings, w'mni'ui the admiration of all beholders, entertained Mr Divlin at dinner at O'Neill"s Hotel and sat behind him on the stage. God speed the brilliant envoy, and may he have ,a- foremost place in- the first- Government of Ireland-! MASTERTON. " Mr. Devlin addressed a large meeting in Masterton on January 14.. He was enthusiastically redeived and the following resolutions ~ were carried :— ' Tliat this meeting extends a hearty welcome to -Mr. Devlin as en- ?! the Ll ' isn Nati( > n al party, and ' assures him that the people of Masterton and surrounding "districts cordially sympathise with the endeavors' of the

party with which he is associated to secure for Ireland the full powers and privileges of self-govern-ment.' •■ There was a generous financial response for the Irish . cause. v - •WANGANUI. I Mr. -Devlin an.ived.in Wanganui on the ,10th; He was met by the local reception committee v and a fairly large number of citizens, including' a good proportion of ladies", by whom he was given a warm reception. Mr. Devlin was oliidally welcomed . by ' the Mayor (Mr. C. E. Mr.- Thomas liloyd.-sec- - rotary of the , local reception committee; then " read to the djiistingfudisfaed visitor an- eloquent- address oi welcome, signed on behalf of the Irishmen and" sympathisers of the district, by- Dean Grogan (chairman)- and Mr:" T. Lloyd (secretary of the committee). Mrs. Johanna 'Murphy then presented Mr. . Devftn with a handsome bouquet, and welcomed Mm in the .Gaelic tongue. Mr. Dlevlin replied in a /brief ' and brilliant add ness. • On the same .evening .there was a large audience at the "" Opera . House, when Mr. Devlin delivered an address on Home Rule. The chair was occupied by his Worship the Mayor, and 1 there were»also ~ on* the platform Mr. J. T. Hogan, M.H.R., Dean Grogari, Fathers Mahony, Molloy (Marton), , O'Dwyer (Hawera), and McDerniott, C.SS.R., and Mrs. Beasley, A. D. Willis, F. Neylon, T. Lloyd, Dempsey, J. S. . Lacy, "J.. M. Murphy, .T. Hogan. During the evening ' appropriate Irish selections were playad by Mr O'Hara's oichestra. Has Worship the Mayor, in a short, and happy speech, introduced Mr. Devlin, to the audience. Mr. Devlin received an ovation on rising to speak. He thanked the Mayor for his kind.. welcome, and then plunged •into fris- subject, v which he, Itreated 1 on'the same general lines as have been already , reported in our columns. Mr. Devlin's great oration produced "a> profound effect upon his hearers. ; The applause . was hearty and frequent, and at the plose the orator- was greeted with rounds of cheering. , " "X On the motion of Mr. J. T: Hogan, seconded by Mr. -R. T. Noble Beasley, the following motion"' was • carried unanimously : ' That this meeting - pledges itself, to give both moral and material support to the :Irish National pkrty in their efforts to secure selfgovernment lor Ireland, the granting of which we are convinced would result in strengthening and consolidating the* British Empire. ' . - On the motion- of Mr. A. D. Willis, seconded by Mr. J. ,S. Lacy, a hearty "" vote of , thanks- was accorded Mr. Devlin for his speech. Mr. Devlin- returned thanks,, and moved a .v.ote of thanks to the, chair, to yihe press, and all who had' assisted in promoting the/ meeting. - ASHBL'RTON^". On last Saturday evening Mr. J. T. -Donovan addressed a well attended and highly representative gathering at - Ashburton^ The Mayor presided and the local Catholic clergy were also present. Mr. Donovan's -speech -was well received and warmly applauded. At the conclusion the following resolution was adopted by acclamation :" ' This 'meeting, having heard Mr. Dono-* van's address, tenders" him its heartiest thanks, and hopes that in the near, future Ireland will enjoy the blessing of - self-government which New Zealand so highly prizes.' x . - • ■ -, The splendid sum of about £200 was raised ' to further the cause of Home Rule .to Ireland. / NOTICE. _ In centres where we are not by 'regular correspondents, promoters of Irish delegates' meetings will do us a favor by .sending us at the earliest possible moment, marked copies of papers containing reports of such meetings. . - - •

Pedro Alvarado, owner of the Palmillo- mines at Parrel, Chihuahua, Mexico, whose wealth is estimated at more than 150,000,000 dollars, announces he will distribute 10,000,000 dollars or more to- the poor., of Mexico very soon. Alvarado is^ noted " -for .his charities, arid has been a most* generous contributor to the poor for several years.- He has built several Catholic churches and schools, and declares- tha\ hereafter he will give away a few million dollars every , year*. -• ' The publication of. an advertisement in a* Catholic paper" shows', tftat the .advertiser not only <lesires the patronage of Cat/holies, but pays them the compliment of seeking it through the medium of their own religious journal.' So says an esteemed and wide-awake American contemporary. A word to the wise is sufficient....