The Irish Delegates

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 5, 31 January 1907, Page 12

The Irish Delegates

GREYMOUTH. Mr. Donovan met v.tth a very enthusiastic " reception on his arrival in Greymouth. On arriving at the railway station he was received by a gatherings of about 500 persons, headed by the Acting-Mayor '(Mr. T. E. Coates), who said "that though the enyoy had left Ireland, he would yet "find that in _ coming to Greymouth he was in the midst of the Irish' for the greater number of the residents were of lrisn. descent. Mr. Donovan returned Ms warm and) sincere thanks for the flattering reception accorded him. He had heard from Mr. .Redmond of the warm-heartedness of the West Coasters, and looked forward with pleasure to meeting them. The Catholic Band then escorted him to Giesekirig's Hotel, where Mr. Donovan • again thanked the public for their reception. . ' j The Opera House (says the ' Grey River Argus,' of January 21) was well filled on Saturday night on the occasion of the address by Mr. J . T. Donovan, oh the subject of Home Rule for Ireland. Mr. Donovan is a typical young Irishman with a pleasing platform presence, a fluent and eloquent delivery, a good command of imagery and well equipped with facts and figures. Altogether a winning personality and a convincing orator. On the platform were a number of representative townsmen, including the Hon. Jas Mar-" shall, M.L.C., the Hon. A. R. Guinness, M.H.r'. ' arid many others. ' Mr. Coates^ in the 'through illness of the Mayor (Mr. J. A. I'etrie), presided and introduced the speaker in a brief speech, in which he remarked that it had always seemed absurd him that the English ' Parliament had not long ago given Home Rule to Ire- ' land. At the conclusion of Mr. Donovan's speech, which was similar to that delivered in" other centres the Hon. A. R. Guinness,. M.H.R., moved— 1 That this meeting accords to Mr. Donovan a hearty vote of thanks- • for his able and eloquent address, and is sure that Home Rule to the Irish people, will not only conduce to the happiness of the people" of Ireland - but will

also consolidate and strengthen the British Empire ; and this meeting pledges its moral and. material support to the Home Rule cause,' Mr. "Guinness said that the lecturer that evening was second to none of' ■the previous envoys from Ireland. He (Mr. Guinness) was no new convert to the cause of Home Rule. He supported Mr. Donovan's argument that a decreasing population is evidence of> mis-government by citing -the experience of Mew Zealand between 1872 and 1884. During that period, when llie Atkinson party - was in power, thousands left our -shores, but since the Liberals came into power the- tide had ' changed. That showed that when a government was in accord with the . wishes and desires of the people and is administering the' country in the interests of the people, , then people came to the country. -He ■ maintained .that- the colonies had a right to -interfere on the subject of "Home Rule for Ireland' because they had as^ much right to see that the smallest as well as the largest portions of the Empire were well governed. • Hon. James Mai shall said that it gave him hearty", pleasure to second the -motion, and he endorsed all that the mover had said. Mr. W. D. Kevington said that as an Irish Protestant it gave him great pleasure^ to be present* and .to have the honor of listening to Mr. Donovan's •' elo-" quent and common sense address on the subject of Home Rule for . Ireland. He believed, that there, is"" a bright future dawning upon that unhappy land, and he cherished the hope that he might live to see v the" day when the Irish flag would float from 'an Irish Parliament in College^ Green, and then and not till then would Ireland be a happy, contented country, united to England by the bonds of equality' and love.. He could not understand why there should "be doubts in the minds" of English peopte about giving Home Rule to Ireland, "for he took it that it meant nothing more than what New .Zealanders enjoy in this glorious country, namely, ' the privilege" of making their, own laws and" governing them- ■ selves according^ to their own ideas. 'Three or four years ago - Britain, was in the throes' of ' a great war with the- Boers of South Africa, and yet to-day, she was doing- what he believed to be the right thing; framing a constitution giving them self-government or Home Jlule. He thanked Mr. Donovan for his eloquent and interesting address, and wished him every success in his great mission. The motion was carried by acclamation, . the chairman .announcing that it had been agreed to unanimously. Mr. Donovan briefly acknowledged the vote of thanksand moved a vote of thanks to the chairman. He also • conveyed his thanks to the committee, to' Dean Carew, to Mr. Tymons, the secretary of "the committee, ' and- to the audience for their attendance and. attention. " - HOKITIKA. Mr. J. T. Donovan arrived in Hokitika on Monday* evening of last -week, and was met at the railway station by a large gathering, including the Mayor ' (Mr. Michel), Mr. loomey (chairman), and other members of the reception committee, who accorded the delegate 'a brief welcome. He was at once driven to the Empire Hotel, and there the Mayor, supported by. the members of , the reception committee, including -the_Rev. Fathers Graham and Gilbert, of Wellington, gave Mr, Donovan a formal, though most cordial, reception. Mr. Michel, in welcoming their distinguished visitor to the town, referred to the visits of past Irish delegates, when as Mayor it had falle.n 'to his lot to .Receive them. He hoped their present guest's stay would be as successful and pleasant as "theirs had been, and he trusted he would have the pleasure "of addressing a large and enthusiastic gathering 'the sa»me evening, >- Mr. Donovan briefly replied, and heartily thanked his Worship the Mayor and the members of the reception comtoittee for their cordial welcome. In .the afternoon Mr. Donovan, in, company with the Mayor and members" of the reception ' committee, was ~ driven to Rimu. -He enjoyed the drive very much, and on arrival he • was met by a considerable ' gathering of -the residents. - At the call of Mr. A. Clifton,, M.C.C., three hearty cheers were givm for hinu Mr. Clifton subsequently welcomed Mr: Donovan- to the district, expressing .'the great pleasure it gave them to meet a distinguished member of the Irish, Party. He hoped • his mission ' would be successful, and that his stay in the district would be very pleasant. . ' Mr. Donovan, in a "few well-chosen words, thanked Mr. .Glifton and v the residents of Rimu for their kindhearted welcome. On "their return from Rimu Mr. Donovan, accompanied- by Messrs. J. Toomey- (chairman) ': and J. McSherry (hon. secretary) of the reception committee, visited St. Columtokilie's Convent, where they received (as Mr. Donovan says) a real Irish welcome. -

After being shown through the convent, Mr. Donovan spoke a- few words oil vie cause he was advocating, ami expressed his pleasure at ' meeting so many ut his own countrywomen doing the work of charity aim religion in this i'ar-on corner of the globe. a very ' large audience -(.says tlie ' West Coast Times ') greeted the delegate at vthe Princess Theatre in the evening. Jfiis Woiship Me mayor was in tne chair, and on the platform were the Rev. Fathers uraham, Quinn,"* Taylor, "and Gilbert, Messrs. -T. ii*. \. Seudon, M.H.R., J. crowley (lioss), E. 'u'L-onnor, j. lYiciSherry, T. J. M.Guigan, M. Cashman, J. Downey, j. SuiAvan, A. Clifton, J. Uoomey, J. J. Breeze, and J . J . Burke. . -* . ' Mr. Michel, in introducing the delegate, said 'that on- behalf pf the people of tne town and district lie extended to Mr. Donovan a most sincere and hearty welcome on the occasion of his Visit to this part - oi Westland. He was not I/he first . able and 'distinguished , Irishman who had left his home and crossed the seas for the purpose af advocating and. advancing the cause of Home Rule for his country. Even this remote corner of the Empire had previously been visited 1.. Mr. Redmond, Mr. Michael Davitt— that great patriot who only a few months ago had passed to his restSir Thomas Grattan Esmonde, and Mr. John Lunon. In this connec,t|ion he was reminded that when • Mr. Dillon visited Hokitika, now over eighteen years ago, he not only had the privilege of acting on His reception committee, ""but he had t>he honor of " reading and presenting in the presence of a large concourse ot people the address of welcome which was teim-. * to him by the people of Wesiland. They had learned that the object of Mr. Donovan's mission was to arouse interest in New "Zealand and the colonies in the cause of. Home Rule for Ireland. It would be strange indeed if the of New Zealand did not generally sympathise with suth a movement, they having had Home Rule themselves for over forty years.. At the conclusion of Mr. Donovan's eloquent ; . address, which was on the lines of those given ' elsewhere, subscriptions amounting" to close on £100 were received. Mr. T. E. Y. Seddoh, M.H.R., proposed the following resolution::— " That this meeting, having . heard Mr.Donovan, tenders its heartiest thanks to him for his able and instructive address, and sympathy for the cause he advocates, and also hopes that Ireland will in the near( future enjoy the blessings of self-government, such as we in New Zealand so highly .cherish.' In moving the resolution Mr. Seddon said that as a free' citizen of a free country he could hardly .find words to express his high estimation of the noble words in which Mr. Donovan had revealed to them the wrongs, the hopes, and asjftra lions of the people of Ireland. It was an appeal which touched the.-hearts of the West Coasters. Mr. DonoHjiß's mission was not for Irish people alone, it was for the whole nation, who must face and settle this great problem before very long. It was that which made a nation great and " strong, the privilege of free government. .They had but to look at Canada and see the loyalty of the * French Canadians to see what self-government -did for a • people's loyalty. The Government should trust the people of Ireland as they did with the Boers, and they would have in * Ireland a loyal and contented people. ' ' Mr. T. V. ' Byrne, County Chairman, said it gave him great pleasure that the duty had been allotted to him of seconding the motion. Mr. Donovan should be a proud man to be able to influence his audiences by his eloquence- as he had done. To a New Zealander it seemed an extraordinary thing that people should have ' to labor so long for right and justice, liberty and progress against what he would term a close cor- . poration of inflated aristocrats. The stake of Ireland' was absolutely wrong, and something would have to be done to change it ere long. - - - The resolution was put and carried by acclamation, " three ringing cheers % being given for Mr. Donovan at the call of the 'Mayor. ' . . NAPIER. • , On 'the arrival of Mr. Devlin in Napier he was accorded' a hearty welcome at a gathering in the Gaiety Theatre. The Mayor presided, and an address, signed by Messrs. John Higgins arid M. L. Gleeson, chairman and secretary -respectively of the reception committee, was rea-cl by the latter gentleman, and to which . the distinguished visitor replied iri a felicitous •speech. At the public meeting in- the Gaiety Theatre in the evening the JVlaybr (Mr. S. Carnell) presided, and seats on "the plat foi? nr were occupied by a number of citizens, " including Father Goggan, Messrs. A. L. D. Fraser, A. Dillon, .M.H.R., J. Higgins, W. J. McGrath, P. Barry, and Drs. Moore and Leahy. "

The Mayor, in introducing Mr. Devlin., said that he was pleasied to have JLhe opportunity of identifying himself with the cause pf Home Kule for Ireland.' Mr. Devlin's speech, -which was frequently interrupted by applause, was similar to that delivered in other centres, and on resuming his seat Mr. A. L. D. 'Fraser moved— '.That this meeting of Napier citizens, in -welcoming" Mr. Devljin, -M.P., pledges itself to / give tooth . moral and material- support to the Irish Parliamentary „ party so ably led by Mr. John E., Redmond in their grand struggle to secure the long-delayed measure, self-government-for Ireland, the granting" of _which we are convinced would result, as in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand,' in strengthening^ and "consolidating the British Empire.' , ; The motion was seconded by Mr. W. J. McGrath, supported by ' Mr/ J. Higgins, and carried with, acclamation. . Oh the motion of Mr. J. C. Gleeson, seconded^ by Mr. Sinden, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Devlin for his spkndid address. Mr. Devlin briefly *" returned thanks, and the proceedings closed with cheers for Mr. Devlin and the Mayor. AUCKLAND. (From our- own correspondent.) January 25. Mr. Joseph Devlin, M.P. for- ' West Belfast, arrived in Auckland" last Sunday afternoon. He was ,yreieom<;U • by the locaL committee, and Dr. Stopford (chairman), shortly after Mr. Devlin leaving the steamer, heartily bade him welcome in the name of his friends^ and -sympathisers. Mr."T)evJin suitably replied. The', impression conveyed by^the earnest, manly, and inspiring eloquence of our distinguished visitor was most mallceu. He was immediately driven to the Bishop's palace, where he was very cordially welcomed by his Lordship the Bishop, with , whom were his .Lordship Dr. O'Connor-, ctf MsfcUaivd^aiAi -his^Lordshftp ,Dr. • Dunne, of Bathurst, and* Rev. Fathers O'Donohue, Dunnej Maishall, Shan&lian, utid O'Reilly, all of whom belongs- to Australia. Mr. Devlin spent Monday in the company of the Australian Prelates. He had seen and conversed with every one of the- Australian- Prelates while on tour - with the exception of Drs. O'Connor and Dunne. \ On Tuesday he rested, and on .Wednesday he journeyed to f the Thames with several friends from Auckland, and spoke there the same evening.. In the unavoidable absence of the Mayor in Auckland^ the deputy Mayor (Councillor Scott) took the chair. The case for Ireland was shown in- a malmer" that it- was> never 'before shown" at the Thames^ ami the rounds of applause which at intervals the -speech evoked, showed how impressed were the audience. A vote of thanks to Mr. Devlin,- and also expressing a desire for Home Rule for Ireland was moved by. Councillor" Deeble and carried unanimously. Mr. Devlin returned thanks and concluded by highly eulogising the deputy Mayor, Mr.. Scott, for. his conduct of tho meeting. After the address a collection was "taken in the hall. When all the lists ' throughout" the Peninsula are handed in a good sum is, expected. "Mr. Devlin returned to Auckland -last evening. On Tuesday afternoon "his visited St. Mary's Orphanage, and was •hearaily welcomed- by the Sisters and children. A nice isical. programme was given, an address presented, and £S 5s subscribed to the fund. Mr." Devlin was deeply touched- by the hearty welcome aod generous offering, ami expressed 'his sincere gratitude. To-day he is to be welcomed by the Sisters of Mercy at St. Mary's Comvent, and- will- afterwards dine "with the Bishop and priests at the Sacred Heart, College . at the conclusion of the retreat.,'. On. Monday night he speaks at Waihi, and a great meeting is expected there. On Wednesday next he speaks in Auckland City. The' Mayor" will take the chair. The Hamilton meeting was fixed for this evening, but pw»lng to the break in the railway, through the flood,. ~it has" been postponed until 3lStr,inst. ,< The mail boat; it is thought, will-be delayed one- day.\in. leaving, -in which case a farewell social will be tendered the delegates in Auckland. - Up, to alate the envoys -• have., collected £17,000 in Australia, and over £4000 in New Zealand in- six weeks— a record of which, they and _ ail concerned may .well feel proud.- \At the outset of the tour it was thought that if £10,0Oj0 were collected it . would be most satisfactory. , '"-

Miss Mary Woods, licentiate Teacher of the Royal Academy of Music,, London, pupil of- Alberto Randegger, the . distinguished teacher of .singing, and of Oscar ' Boringer, th\ celebrated German pianoforte professor, will resume teaching (after her return -from London) on February 4, at Lancaster street; - Lawrence... '