THE IRISH ENVOYS

New Zealand Tablet, 6 July 1911, Page 1240

THE IRISH ENVOYS

THEIR MISSION A GREAT SUCCESS SPLENDID MEETING IN DUNEDIN According to arrangements it was expected that the Irish envoys— 11. Hazleton, M. P., W. A. Redmond, M.P., and J. T. Donovan would arrive in Dunedin by the first express on Saturday, and consequently there was a large gathering at the railway station to accord them a hearty welcome. Among those present were Hon. J. B. Callan, M.L.C. (chairman of the reception committee), Mr. J. J. Marlow (secretary), Mr. M. Goughian (treasurer), Mr. C. A. Shiel, and Rev. Rather Coffey, Adm. On the arrival of the train it was found that Mr. Hazleton, who had joined it at Oamaru, was the only delegate on board. It appears that Messrs, Redmond and Donovan, who had travelled by it from Christchurch, had acceded to a request to stay over Sunday in Timaru. When Mr. Hazleton was recognised on leaving the carriage he ivas greeted with cheers, and later on at the Grand Hotel he was formally welcomed to Dunedin, the proceedings being of a very cordial and enthusiastic nature. The Hon. J. B. Callan, M.L.C., speaking on behalf of the reception committee and sympathisers with the Home Rule cause, extended a very hearty welcome to Mr. Hazleton to Dunedin. Deeds spoke more forcibly than words, and the demonstrative manner in ' which Mr. Hazleton had been welcomed at the railway station and the large gathering of friends and well-washers there must be far more impressive than any words that fell from him. In Dunedin he was sure that all parties, no matter w 7 hat their views might be as to the mission of the Irish envoys, would accord them a fair and impartial hearing. That had always been characteristic of Dunedin. He quite remembered when he had the privilege twenty-eight years ago of extending a welcome to Mr. John Redmond as he was now' extending it to Mr. Hazleton, and Mr. Redmond had then expressed his pleasure and his gratification at the manner" in which he was received in Dunedin as against the way he had often been received in many of the cities of Australia. They were supporting their visitors because they were advocating a form of • self-government for Ireland which they all enjoyed here in New' Zealand, and which was also enjoyed in Canada, South Africa, Australia, and the Isle of Man; and. he could say that it was working towards greater loyalty, greater prosperity, and greater happiness, and for that reason they sympathised with and to the best of their means supported their visitors, and because they believed that if Ireland was granted a form of self-govern-ment she .would become more happy, more contented, and more loyal. Again he extended to Mr. Hazleton a cordial w’elcome to the city of Dunedin,—(Applause.) Mr. Hazleton, in replying, thanked the Hon. Mr. Callan and those present for their very cordial welcome, and for their kind words of sympathy. After apologising for the absence of his colleagues; Mr. Hazleton went on to say that the kind welcome which he had received on his arrival was, only a repetition of what he had experienced in every centre in New Zealand he had visited . during the past two months. He had never met a. more fair-minded or a more broad-minded people than those of New Zealand. The delegates had asked for nothing beyond a fair hearing, and he must say that was extended to them in every instance. The Irish demand had been misunderstood and misrepresented in the past and consequently its advocates did not very often get a fair hearing, but now, the facts of the situation have become better known by the people, and the claims of Ireland are more universally recognised, and hence the change in public opinion. At the time of Mr. Redmond’s visit, referred to by the chairman, it was difficult to get a hall with which to hold a meeting in Australia, and it was even proposed in one State that the Irish delegates should be expelled from the colony. In this Dominion, he was pleased to say, that, he and his colleagues had received the greatest kindness, consideration, and support from all classes. He had that day received a message from Mr. Kennedy (Wellington) to the effect that the subscriptions so far amounted to £7BOO, which was a standing testimony to the generosity of the people, whilst the total subscriptions during the previous visit amounted to £SOOO, He thought the progress of the cause was due largely to the fuller knowledge which the people had of the Irish question. In conclusion, he again thanked the chairman for his kind words, and all present for their very warm welcome. WELCOMED BY THE HIBERNIAN SOCIETY. On Saturday evening Mr. Hazleton was entertained at a conversazione in St. Joseph’s Hall by the Hibernian Society. Bro. J. Deehan presided, and was supported by Bro. J. J. Marlow (district deputy). In addition to the guest of the evening, Mr. R. Hazleton, M.P., there were on the stage the Hon. J. B. Callan, M.L.C., and Mr. A. R. Barclay. _ An excellent programme of vocal and instrumental items was contributed. , At an interval Bro. J. Deehan read the following address : —*

‘ The Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society, St. Joseph’s Branch No. 73, thank you for the great honor you have done us this evening by finding time amongst your many engagements to give us an opportunity of welcoming you to our city. We wish also to assure you of our hearty sympathy with the cause that has brought, you here and of our keen appreciation of your own personal efforts for that cause. We rejoice in the thought that in these enlightened days, and in this democratic country, tho cause of Home Rule finds supporters amongst all classes; but w r e feel entitled to say that no organisation in this city can make a better claim to be in sympathy with the object of your visit than we can. We are Irish in our name. Our members are mostly Irish, either by birth or by descent, and all of them are Irish in their hearts. Permit us to make this quotation from our rule book : 1 One of the objects of the society is for the members to cherish the memory of Ireland, rejoicing in the prosperity and condoling in the sufferings of their native land, and to bind them yet closer in social chains of fraternity and friendship in this Austral land ; also to endeavor to instil into the minds of the Celtic Australasian race a veneration for the land of their forefathers, in order that they may imitate, if not excel, the faith and virtues of that devoted nation, and to extend the hand of fellowship to their coreligionists of every nationality, participating with them in a brotherly spirit in every benefit, social and. pecuniary, that the society affords.’ Every fresh initiation ceremony that takes place reminds the members that these readily embraced duties to their Fatherland are part of their obligations as members. The membership of our society throughout New Zealand now reaches some 3000, and the accumulated funds at the society’s disposal in New Zealand are some £14,000. May we not, without egotism, say that the spectacle of a useful and flourishing organisation such as ours, composed of and chiefly governed by Irish men and the sons of Irishmen, is in itself a first-class answer to the suggestion still sometimes made that Irishmen are incapable of managing their own affairs. We trust that the success that you have hitherto met with in New' Zealand may, be crowned by a highly successful and pleasant tour throughout our province of Otago, and feel sure that the members of our society wherever you meet therm will do everything they can, both individually and collectively, to help you in your labors. In conclusion, we express the confident hope that, whenever again it shall be our pleasure and privilege to assemble to Welcome- in our midst Irish members of Parliament, they may be members from the Irish House of Commons at the old College Green.’ Signed on behalf of the society,—James Deehan (President), George Purton (Vice-president), James O’Connor (Secretary), John Hally (Treasurer). /■; Mr. Hazleton, in responding, first expressed his extreme regret that his two colleagues were not present to join with him in such a pleasant function and to listen to the kind words which had been so well expressed in the address just read.' On their behalf as well as on his own he had to thank the members of the society for their very kind expressions of friendship and their greeting, and he desired to express in return his own best wishes for the success and prosperity of their society. It was a pleasure to one who was engaged upon the work he and his colleagues had undertaken, and where there was a great deal of travelling and a great deal of public speaking—and he might say that for the last three weeks he had had a meeting on every night except Sundaysto, be able to attend a gathering of this sort with no expectation of having to make a lengthy speech. He could assure them an occasion such as the present was a welcome relief from the otherwise serious work he was engaged in, but which he and his friends were proud to labor in and on behalf of, because they knew that there would be no more noble and no more sacred work than that which the Irish Nationalist members were doing in furtherance of the Irish cause. It had, indeed, been a hard and uphill struggle a struggle in which many of the best and bravest sons of their race had fallen by the wayside and had not lived to see the realisation of their hopes. But it was always a consolation to know that no matter who bore the standard, it would be carried on until their purpose was achieved. In the words of one of their old Irish songs, ‘ each age has seen countless brave men pass away, but the spirit lived _on in the men of to-day,’ and he was glad to see that this spirit animated' those who had gone from the Old Land and their descendants in this country on behalf of the cause of nationality and the cause of religion, which had been largely intertwined in Ireland not merely to-day, but for generations and in centuries gone by in the proud title of faith and fatherland. This was not the first time he had had the honor and pleasure of meeting members of the Hibernian Society in New Zealand, and he was glad to able to congratulate them on the good work.the society did, especially among the younger people of their Irish generation in New Zealand. ' Their sister organisation in Ireland, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, had during the past few years made wonderful progress, and its members were to be numbered not by tho. thousands, but by the tens of thousands all over the country. In Ireland, _ ■ as_ in this, country, it was an exclusively Catholic organisation pro- ' moted in the sacred cause of religion, and he was very sorry to have to say that on account of that fact it had been subject to many attacks and to many insults by those

who should be the first to support and encourage it. In this age of liberty and enlightenment it would be an extraordinary thing if any members were not to have an organisation such as the Catholics had in the Hibernian Society, In Ireland the society was working side by side with the national political organisation, the United Irish League. These two . great organisations were working hand in hand, helping on the great political movement which had for its object the realisation of the aspirations of the Irish people. He was glad to recognise that here, no less than in Ireland, the society was doing its best to show its sympathy with the movement and with their mission to New Zealand to appeal for funds for the cause and the Irish Party. During his own two months’ experience in New Zealand he had very often found that it was not the Irish-born people but those who were the sons of Irish-born people and had never seen the Old Country at all, who were most energetic and most enthusiastic in their support of the cause of Ireland. He hoped that many of them who had never been in Ireland would avail themselves of the opportunity which he believed would in the course of the next few years be" given to them to go home to Ireland to join with the people there in the national celebrations on the occasion of the opening of the Irish Parliament. It had been said to him that it would be a splendid idea for the society in New Zealand to organise a great pilgrimage of people to Ireland for the opening of their Parliament. He hoped and believed this suggestion would materialise in the course of the comparatively short time, and that on

Hazleton, M.P., had come to explain the position in re* gard to a matter which was of great importance in the Uld Country and was of a certain amount of importance to us in New Zealandi.e., the question of Home Buie. It had been said that we had it here, and that therefore Ireland should have it. Here wo were so far from the centre that we could not give an, opinion on that until we had heard the evidence on both sides. We had already heard the evidence on one side. Mr, Hazleton had come to give us the evidence on the other side, and he (the Mayor) was certain that Mr. Hazleton would put it fairly and squarely before us. We in New Zealand were an intensely loyal people, and he could not help saying that lie was exceedingly sorry ■to notice that when his Majesty the King intimated his intention, of going to Ireland he was not to be accorded a reception in Dublin. That was a tactical error, and. such things injured the Irish cause more perhaps than crimes. He hoped that this had not been an expression of the wish of the Irish people as a whole. He himself was half an Irishman, and he had lived for very many years among Irish people, and he had never met a more polite or a more kindly people. He concluded by again expressing pleasure at Mr. Hazleton’s presence, adding that as a community we loved the truth, and were always glad of an opportunity of, hearing it. Mr. Hazleton expressed his sincere thanks for the welcome accorded him, and thanked his Worship, as the chief citizen of Dunedin, for the kind words he had spoken in regard to the work and mission of himself and his con-

the occasion of their national celebrations in Dublin they would see a very large representation of their friends from the Isle of the Southern Ocean. He again thanked the society-for its welcome and wished it every ■success and every prosperity in its future career. During the evening the following contributed to the musical programme*;Mrs. Power, Misses Callan and Heffernan, Mr. T. J. Hussey, Messrs. Fogarty (4), and fit'. Joseph’s Glee Club. The programme concluded with the singing of the National Anthem. At the close of the proceedings a liberal supply of light refreshments were handed round by a number of young ladies. On Sunday his Lordship the Bishop entertained Mr. Hazleton to dinner at the Palace, among the other guests being the Mayor of Dunedin (Mr. W. Burnett), Hon. J. B. Callan, M.L.C., and representatives of the laity. THE CIVIC RECEPTION. _ On Monday forenoon Mr. Hazleton was accorded a civic reception in the Citv Council Chambers. His Worship the Mayor (Mr. W. Burnett) presided, having on his right Sir James Carroll (Acting-Premier) and Mr. Hazleton. Among the others present were the Hon. J. B. Callan, M.L.C.., Hon. J. T. Paul, M.L.C., Mr. Arnold, M.P., several City Councillors, Rev. Fathers Coffey and Corcoran, Dr. O’Neill, Messrs. C. A. fihiel, A. R. Barclay, J. B. Callan, jun., J. J. Connor, J. O’Neill, F. Armstrong, and J. A. Scott. The Mayor said they had met that morning to accord a welcome to a distinguished visitor from Ireland, Mr.

frores. It was indeed gratifying to experience the kindnesses extended to them since their arrival in the Dominion by people of every shade of political opinion and of religious belief. The welcome given him in Dunedin this morning was only one more example of what had been extended to him and his friends in all the cities they had visited in New Zealand. The Mayor had expressed the position very fairly in saying that New Zealanders were ready to give them a fair and impartial hearing! A fair and impartial hearing was all that the people of Ireland asked for on the Irish question. There had been a very considerable amount of misunderstanding and misrepresentation in regard both to the situation in Ireland and the demands of the Irish people for self-government. He regretted to say that one of the sources of that misrepresentation, in this country , particularly, had been the cable service, from both England and Ireland, which had not been at all as fair or impartial to Ireland or to their movement as justice demanded. Since coming here two months ago he had had this forced upon his mind. It was only matters unfavorable to Ireland—trivial, small instances, to which no importance was attached by either the people of Ireland or of the United Kingdomthat weye cabled over as if they were of great importance. In general, anything that told against Ireland or the Irish movement was given prominence in the cable service; whereas contradictions of false reports or matters of that kind were not cabled out here, or placed before the people of this country. But in contradistinction to that, he must acknowledge the debt they owed to the press of this country for the splen-

did manner in which it had treated the envoys’ work and approached the Irish question. There had been a very marked change of public sentiment all over the world, and he thought that without any exaggeration he could state, from his own experience in New' Zealand, that an overwhelming preponderance of public opinion here, altogether apart from Irish people, was on the side of justice and fair play to Ireland. The Mayor had referred to the Dublin incident, in which the Dublin Corporation were not presenting an address to his Majesty on his coming to the capital of Ireland, but he could assure the Mayor, that when his Majesty King George V. went to Ireland—as in their opinion he would go in the course of the next two years— open in person the Irish Parliament, ho would receive in no part of his dominions a more loyal, more enthusiastic, or more generous welcome than he would receive from the whole mass of the Irish people. If in the past there had not been those manifestations from Ireland which had been characteristic of other parts of the Empire, it was because there had been for more than 100 years in Ireland a period of national mourning over the loss of their Constitution. As soon as free institutions existed in Ireland as they existed ,in other parts of the Empire, there would be no more loyal supporters than the Irish people. In this connection he would remind them that past periods of English history had furnished parallels. It was mismanagement and misgovernment of their affairs from London that lost the United States to the Empire. And at the time that Queen Victoria came to the throne Canada had been in arms against the authority of London, because she was being governed as a Crown colony, and had not the rights of freedom and liberty that she had now. As the result of the establishment of free institutions in that country there was now no more loyal or contented part of the King’s Dominions. Apply the same remedy to Ireland, and the same results 'would follow. It gave him great pleasure to visit this country and see with his own eyes how in many branches of activity New' Zealand had set such a splendid example of national and municipal government. It brought him personally into closer touch with the doings of the Empire, and enabled Him to see how the New Zealand people tackled for themselves various social and political problems. Without in any way encroaching upon New Zealand politics, he would pay them the compliment of saying that he thought there was no more enlightened, progressive, and up-to-date country than this. And it must be a great source of satisfaction to v see the Imperial Government attempting, and not unsuccessfully, to follow in the footsteps traced by the New Zealand Government. The municipal institutions also were of great interest to him. He had been associated for nine years with municipal life in Ireland, and since 1898 they had had a complete measure of municipal government. Even the Imperial officials who audited and superintended the accounts were compelled to admit that the system in Ireland was carried out to the satisfaction of all concerned. It might interest them to know' that during the short period that Ireland had possessed municipal government, whilst there had been a marked improvement in administration, while roads and the poor had been better cared for, these circumstances had been accompanied by a; reduction in taxation amounting to 3d in the £ on the total rateable valuation of Ireland. This was a fact which could bo fairly used as an argument for the concession of national self-government. For, during that same period the-Imperial taxation (which was not in the hands of the Irish) had risen by more than £2,000,000 a year. All the Irish people asked was a chance to govern their country as they had governed their cities. And in attempting to secure it he was glad to think that they had behind them the majority of the people of the United Kingdom, as w r as show'll by the present majority of 120 in the Imperial Parliament, and also an overwhelming majority of the citizens of the Empire in all parts of the world. " He thanked them again for the cordial reception given him. His Worship, in inviting Sir James Carroll to speak, took the opportunity of congratulating the Acting Prime Minister on the honor bestowed on him by his Sovereign, which, said the Mayor, was to a certain extent an illustration of the truth of Mr. Hazleton’s contention of the ability of Ireland to govern herself. Sir James Carroll, having thanked bis Worship for his remarks in their application to himself, went on to say that the subject of their distinguished guest’s mission was a very interesting one, and it commanded the direct attention of all those who lived under free institutions and in free countries. One need not commit himself to an expression of opinion on this question further than to say that we all believed in freedom and liberty. We all realised that throughout this vast Empire there was a strong federal growth leaving its impression on the minds of those regulating affairs in the United Kingdom. It was a question which had emerged from the slough of despair and dark gloom which enshrouded the past. It was lifted now to a clearer atmosphere by inspection and examination as to its practicability and how it T as to be brought into existence. No matter what thoughts might exist in the minds of those who were inclined to think that the consequences might not be such as were expected by these people yet the majority of the people of the Empire.' together with a majority of the people of the United Kingdom, had decidedly turned the light of their countenances towards the great question of Home Rule. It was now the second great issue on the Order Paper submitted by the Imperial

Government to the House of Commons. So far as we could learn, it was also a question which was interesting the Scottish representatives. Not long ago they went in a deputation to the Prime Minister of the Imperial Government with a view to ensuring Home Rule for Scotland. In its turn, no doubt, Wales would make its claim. Seniority of claim must be accorded to Ireland, because Ireland had been tor ages knocking at the door for freedom and for her self-government. He joined in welcoming their dis-? tinguished guest. It was only right that our hearts should go out to representative people from other parts of the Empire. We accorded him the courtesies due to his position as a member of the House of Commons, and extended to him the cordiality which our fellowship with a son of the Emerald Isle gave us. We offered him our attentions, and assured him of our regard, for he was one of us, and a responsible , unit in the management and government of the affairs of the United Kingdom, a share of which Mr. Hazleton had to carry on his shoulders. +1 Hon. d 'i B. Callao, M.L.C., moved a hearty vote of thanks to the Mayor and council for the' civic reception accorded to Mr. Hazleton. It showed that Dunedin was always ready to treat in a fair and impartial manner any man of importance who came here to express opinion on any subject. 1 The vote was carried and the function ended. Messrs. Donovan and Redmond arrived in Dunedin rom i imam by the first express on Monday, and were met at the railway station by Messrs. J. J. ‘Marlow, M. nffttee)’ and d Collins (members of the reception eomTHE PUBLIC MEETING. The Garrison Hall was crowded on Monday evening when the Irish envoys—Messrs. Hazleton, Redmond, and Donovan addressed a public meeting. His Worship the 1 ' s or (Mr. W. nett) presided), and there were also present on the platform his Lordship Bishop Verdon, Rev. Father Coffey Adm., Sir James Carroll (Acting-Premier), Mon. J. B. Callan, M.L.C., Hon. J. T. Paul MLC Messrs J. I Arnold, MP t 5 A. R. Barclay, C. A. Shiel, M Goughian, F. Doherty (chairman of the Taieri County Council), _ R Robertson (Taieri County Council), A. Moyni--O>Co,SLTw D CoSa„ ’ J - C ° llinS ' J - ■<****.’*■ T lie Mayor, in his introductory remarks, said that the meeting w-as held for the purpose of hearing the three gentlemen present on the subject of Horae Rule for Ireland. J gentlemen had come from the seat of war, the Houses or 1 Lament, to give their views on this question. The people here had one side of the question, and these gentlennr, Lf' 0U d tlla give the other side, and perhaps concert some of those present to their way of thinking. Such was the case of William Ewart Gladstone, a very great man, who was converted to be a firm . believer in Home Rule, and so, if any of those present that night changed their views on the subject, they had the example of a very great an d honorable man to follow. He had much pleasure in calling upon Mr. Hazleton to address the meeting. Mr. Hazleton, who was received with prolonged applause, said it was indeed an inspiring sight to see such a i a n r jP, a, J d enthusiastic gathering as was ,present that night, and he had to thank the people of Dunedin for the splendid welcome they had given the delegates from Ireland. They (the delegates) had now arrived at the last stage of their work in the Dominion, and everywhere they had gone, they had received the greatest kindness, .sympathy, and support not only from Irishmen, but also from all sections and' classes in the community. He was glad to find that Dunedin bid no exception to the rule, and that here also the people had a warm place in their hearts for the cause of Ireland. He knew that this would be so, when he learned that there ere so n many people in this town from bonnie Scotland, for it was perfectly correct and true to say that throughout the struggle for Home Ride Ireland had no stauncher or better friends than the Scottish people. To-dfiy, in the penal Parliament the number of members elected bv Scotland who are opposed to Home Rule, could be counted on the fingers of one hand. The Irish party were not ungrateful for the support they To-day not a i e th® Scottish members supporting Home Rule for Ireland, but the Irish members are ready to support Home Rule for Scotland. Here the speaker read a resolution which was recently passed at a meeting of young Scottish Liberals in favor of self-government for Scotland. Continuing , Mr. Hazleton said that Scotland recognised that Ireland had priority of claim in regard to this matter. The history of the two countries had been very different with regard to their political situation. Scotland had joined as i a «™i ady . ou d a ! , if? partner in the Act of Union with England. She did not face the same persecution, the same tjranny that Ireland had had to endure in days gone by S Ud + i S T?" was forced upon it by fraud and corruption! which the late Mr, Gladstone described as the foulest and blackest persecution in the history of mankind. Their Parliament was taken from them by force, their industries were suppressed by - law, their _ revenue, their nationality, ami their customs—in fact, their existence—they set about to exterminate,. Indeed, it was a w'onder that'there were any Irishmen left at all to-day. Although the population of Ireland under the system of mis-government which prevailed, had been reduced by more than one-half in sixty years—hi 1.848 1 . t 11 . was nine millions, whilst to-day it was less than four millions— in spite of that fact there were ■

enough of the Irish race left at bring this struggle for self-government to a triumphant conclusion. (Applause.) The first message that he and his friends had to give them that night was that the end of the struggle for national self-government for Ireland was in sight. (Applause.) One by one they had broken down the barriers that stood in the way of the concession of Home Rule. They had secured several measures of reform, and thus made easy the way for the granting of Irish autonomy. Landlordism was dead, and the land question was settled; a national university had been secured, so that now the son of the poor man could procure the highest university education. They had in the present House of Commons a majority of 126 in favor of Home Rule, and the greatest barrier in the —the House of Lords— being swept away. It was the House of Lords that in 1893 rejected Gladstone’s Home Rule Bill; it was the House of Lords that had opposed, at all times, every great reformsocial and political— the benefit not only of Ireland, but also for England, Scotland,' and Wales The democracies of Great Britain and Ireland have decided that the barrier of the House of Lords must be removed, and in future the people, not the peers, must rule, otherwise there would be no meaning in Constitutional Government. Should the House of Lords insist on their amendments to the Veto Bill, the Government would create 500 new peers, and if the Veto Bill is passed into law, next year will see a Home Rule Bill on the lines of Gladstone’s Bill of 1893, and it is as certain, as we can be of any human event in this world, that this great measure will bo passed into 'law, and we shall see a Parliament once more in College Green in the lifetime of the present British Parliament (prolonged applause). It had been asserted that what Irishmen had been working for meant the disintegration and destruction of the Empire. This was not so. They were working for a Parliament with the right to manage their own domestic affairs, just the same as those which exist in Canada, Australia, and South Africa. The Irish people will still send a certain number of representatives to the Imperial Parliament, and will pay a fair proportion of the cost of the Imperial services. The Irish people do not, want an army, neither do they want a navy, but are prepared to support these by contributing to the Customs like the rest of the United Kingdom. It might be a matter of surprise to his audience to hear that New Zealand had not alone been helping Ireland to gain Home Rule but had also promised to assist with money, men, and arms the opponents of Home Rule (laughter). A recent issue of an Irish paper contained an intimation that the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland had received promises from the Grand Lodges of Canada, Australia, and New' Zealand of support in the shape of men, monev. and arms in order to resist the granting of Home Rule. ' The president of the Australian and Now Zealand Lodge, when interviewed on the subject, said he ■ was in a. very awkward position—daughter')—because he could not say that anv promises had been made. If they wanted bis (the speaker’s) estimate of those people who had been talking about fighting against the concession of Home Rule, he would sav that the suffragettes would-be sufficient to rout the whole of them (laughter). For 110 years Ireland had had no reasonable form of constitutional government. It was at present ruled by 67 boards and departments, of which the Chief Secretary was president by virtue of bis office, and from 90 to 95 per cent, of the army of officials who comprised these hoards and departments were opposed to Home Rule and hostile to the aspirations of the Irish people because they did not want tho power and authority which was at present in their hands to pass into the hands of the Irish people themselves. Mr. Hazleton then dealt at some length with the excessive cost of governing Ireland through its many boards, and also the expenditure on the police force as compared with Scotland. With regard to the statement made by an anonymous critic in one of the local papers that the Irish people did not want Home Rule because if they did they would subscribe to the funds, Mr. Hazleton pointed out that last year the Irish people subscribed a sura of £15,000. Conditions in respect of elections were very much different at Home from what they were here. Not one single penny was expended by 'the State on election expenses. These had to be borne by the candidates or the party. A. general election in Ireland cost between £25.000 and £30,000. and they had had three elections within the last five years. Then there were the expenses of propaganda and other work, and the people hero would realise how necessary it was 'for them to appeal to the people in other parts of the world. But they believed this would be the last appeal, and in helping them the people of New ; Zealand would have been doing their part in helping to have placed upon the Statute Book a Home Rule Bill which would enable Ireland to live in friendship, peace, and happiness side by side with England, Scotland, and Wales. (Prolonged applause.) The Hon. Mr. Paul moved £ That as funds are urgently required 'to defray the heavy expenses which have to be incurred in the contest for Home Rule, a collection he now' made for that purpose.’ In supporting the motion Mr. Paul pointed out that the cost entailed in contesting an election at Home practically placed the representation in the hands of wealthy people. The Irish party was the only political party which issued a balance sheet, duly audited, of contributions to its funds. Mr. A. R. Barclay seconded the motion, which was carried with acclamation, and a collection was then taken up by a largo body of collectors,

?f r - Donovan was the next speaker. After' felicitating the Mayor on his public spirit in taking the chair'at that large and representative meeting and congratulating the citizens of Dunedin on the splendid manner in. which they had rallied to the cause of Home Rule, he went on to say that he and his colleagues were there that night as humble sentinels from the watch-towers of Irish , liberty and they fancied the people were putting to them the question How goes it ..with old Ireland ? How stands it with her cause, and what are her prospects of success in the future? They answered back that all was going well with Ireland, that they brought a message of good cheer and encouragement, and that they believed that within the, next two years they would see the realisation of the hopes and ~ aspiratmns of their people in the opening of a free J arliament in Dublin. The demand made by the Irish people was a fair and just one. It was based on two giounds- (1) of historic title, and (2) of expediency. To those who charged Ireland with intolerance he said, ‘Give us a purely Protestant Parliament in Ireland if you like, so long as it is an Irish Parliament.’ What they objected to was rule from the outside. If its affairs were not mismanaged Ireland would bo one of the most prosperous countries in the world, and a jewel in the crown of the Jhnnpire. He repudiated the charge made in some quarters that in the event of Home Rule being granted there would bo religious persecution in Ireland. The Irish people had never been guilty of religious persecution. Let them look at the party of Ireland to-day. There were 12 or 14 Protestant members in it. i Further, 95 per cent, of the people ? Donegal were Catholics, and their two representatives in 1 arliament were Protestants. The cry of intolerance was an old bogey. He mentioned the names of other : Protestants in the party, and asked; Would any man seriouslyai gue that those I rotestant gentlemen who were members of the party w ere working for the amelioration and the liberty of the people m order that when the people got the rights they sought they might immediately turn round and persecute the co-religionists of the Protestants now in office? Ihe landlord and ascendancy party of Ulster had always been dragging in the red herring of religion in order 'to divide the people, and he was glad to be able to tell them that Mr. Devlin stood to-day as the champion of Ulster democracy. , The greatest captain of industry in Ireland at the present time was on the side of the Home Rule party Lord Pirrie as practically the proprietor of the great shipbuilding firm of Harland and Wolff. He employed thousands of hands, and paid in wages about £40,000 a week; Ford lime a Protestant gentleman, was a Liberal in politics, and be came out at the last two elections with a manifesto m favor of Home Rule. Would anybody say that Lord J irne, who had a great stake in the country would not advocate Home Rule if he believed for a moment that it meant the disruption of the Empire or injury to a single Piotestant, or that the Irish people were not capable of governing themselves. His Lordship Bishop Verdon then moved: ‘That this meeting accords to the Irish delegates its warmest thanks tor their efforts in the cause of Home Rule for Ireland, and trusts that these efforts will be speedily crowned with success.’ His Lordship, in speaking to the resolution,-con-rat tod Messrs. Hazleton and Donovan for their admirable addresses that evening. The Irish people asked that they be allowed to manage their own affairs, and surely no one living in New' Zealand could object to such a reasonable. dema.nd. Here in -New Zealand we enjoy a very considerable share of Home Rule, and because we have liberty to manage our ow affairs we are prosperous and n a PP.V, and the more instalments of liberty we receive the more steadfast we become in our loyalty. Was it not reasonable to suppose that by granting Home Rule to Ireland similar results would he obtained? The Irish were a noble and generous race, and they could be safely trusted not to abuse the liberty which would be granted them. The Irish National party had struggled gallantly for the past thirty or forty years, had never lost courage, and had mot with many disappointments, but they were never stronger nor more united than at the present time. He was very pleased to hear of the wonderful success of the mission of the delegates who were received everywhere in New Zealand with the greatest enthusiasm. In"the name of the people ho thanked the delegates for their efforts on' behalf of Home Rule. The Hon. Sir James Carroll seconded the motion. He spoke in favor of the granting of Home Rule to Ireland, and then favored the audience with ‘something in legendary lore about St. Patrick, whom he claimed as a Maori, The motion was put to the meeting and carried by acclamation. > . J

Mr. Redmond said he felt most grateful to the people of Dunedin for , the touching manner in which tbev had responded to the anneals made by bis colleagues, and so ably supported by those gentlemen who had done them the honor to move the different resolutions. In every district they had received support, not onlv from their own kith young Now Zealanders as well. It had been said that the Irish people were not fit to govern their own affairs but let them go to any great country and they would there find Irishmen 111 the forefront in the realms of politics law medicine, and so forth. He had been told that Ireland paid three times as ranch for its, police as Scotland did yet, according to the criminal statistics, Ireland was bv far the least criminal of the four countries that composed the united Kingdom. The people of Ireland had no confidence

in the system of government under which they were ruled, and were out of sympathy with the legislative achievements made for the government of their country. For that reason they asked for self-government. The Tories, as well as the Liberals, were confident that Home Rule would yet be granted to Ireland. He wished to draw attention to another aspect of the ca§e. One of the ambitions of British statesmen was to complete a treaty with the United States, so that the English-speaking peoples might stand together against the rest of the world, but that treaty could not be consummated because there were 20 million people in the States who would not sanction any treaty, offensive or defensive, until Home Rule had been granted to Ireland. In conclusion, he thanked the Dunedin people for the magnificent response they had made to the appeal of the delegates. The Hon. Mr. Callan moved a vote of thanks to the Mayor for presiding. Father Coffey, in seconding the motion, intimated that the collection totalled £440. The motion was carried, and a vote of thanks was also accorded to the committee, to Sir James Carroll, and to Bishop Verdon. Cheers were given for the delegates, and the meeting closed. Mr.-R. Hazleton left Dunedin on Tuesday morning for Lawrence, where he Was to speak that evening. On Wednesday evening he was to address a meeting at Milton. He is to speak at Gore on Thursday, Invercargill on Friday, Balfour on Saturday, and Otautau on Monday. Messrs. Redmond and Donovan left on Tuesday for Ranfurly, where they were to address a meeting that evening. They were to speak at Ophir on Wednesday, Waikaia on Friday, and Queenstown and Arrowtown on Monday and Tuesday. O AMARU. On the arrival of Mr. Hazleton in Oamaru by the. first express on Friday he was welcomed at the railway station by a large number of sympathisers with Home Rule for Ireland, including the Hon. George Jones, M.L.C., Mr. Robert Milligan (Acting-Mayor), and other members of the civic body. Motors were in waiting, and the party were expeditiously transferred to Miss Hannon’s daintily decorated rooms, where the various good things provided by that admirable and genial hostess were done ample justice, Mr. P. J. Duggan presided, and on his right were Messrs. R. Hazleton, Milligan, Searle, Kent, Livingstone, and on his left the Hon. T. Y. Duncan. Messrs. Paterson, Croagh, Hjorring, and W. Grave. The other table was presided over by Father Farthing, there being also present Messrs. O’Grady, P. Kelly, Corcoran, senr., Cagney, sear., Taylor, Rev. Father Wood, Ryan, Barry, junr., P. Corcoran, junr., Cooney, Barry, senr., Joyce, Vino (Mail), and Brown (Times). Mr. Duggan proposed the toast of The King,’ which was received with musical honors: Mr. Milligan proposed that of their guest, which was responded to in an interesting speech by Mr. Hazleton; the ‘ New Zealand Parliament,’ proposed by Mr. Livingstone, was responded to by the Hon. T. Y. Duncan ; and the ‘ Irish Parliamentary Party,’ proposed by Mr. Cagnay, was responded to by Mr. Hazleton. Apologies for absence were received from Right Rev. Mgr. Mackay and Mr. Adam Mackay. • The audience that last night greeted Mr. R. Hazleton, M.P., and Home Rule delegate (says the Oamaru Mail) was large and enthusiastic. Seated on the platform were Mr. R. Milligan (Deputy-Mayor), who presided, the Rev. Fathers Woods and Farthing, the Hon. George Jones and T. Y. Duncan, Messrs. G. Livingstone, Eyre Evans, A. G. Creagh, W. H. Paterson, and members of the committee. The chairman in introducing Mr. Hazleton spoke of the interest which Home Rule had created throughout the English-speaking portion of the British Empire. Notwithstanding that _ interest there were many people who formed their opinions on the matter without full knowledge of the subject. Ireland was now asking for a restoration of her rightsshe had previously had a parliament for 500 years. Mr. Redmond, who had led his party well and tactfully, defined the present demands of the party .as a statutory subordinate parliament. Such a parliament would have no power to subject any person to disabilities because of religious opinions. Great Imperial questions clogged and congested the machine of the Imperial Parliament so that it could not deal fairly with the local questions of Ireland and Scotland. What was being strongly lelt to-day was that the different units of the Empire should deal with their own local affairs, leaving the Imperial Parliament to deal with. wider questions. Mr. Hazleton, who, on rising, was loudly applauded, delivered an earnest and eloquent address, which formed an able and comprehensive vindication of Ireland’s claim to justice. The Hon. George Jones then rose to propose the following resolution, which, he remarked, was a very fair corollary to the address which they had just heard from Mr. Hazleton — That this meeting affirms that, in the cause of justice, for the sake of the people of Ireland, and to promote the welfare of the Empire, it is desirable that Ireland should be granted the management of her own internal affairs under the system now proposed, which whilst it would secure her emancipation from long-standin<»-

intolerable evils, would also mean her continuance as a loyal dependency of Great Britain.’ Mr. Hazleton mentioned at the beginning of his address that the feeling in favor of Home Rule was.not once what it was now; that it was’ not so kind or so cordial, and he mentioned New., Zealand with Australia as having been cold and lukewarm in the first instance. That might be true of Australia, but he would Say, without fear of contradiction, that New Zealand; had always had a warm side for Home Rule for Ireland.' When the subject was first mooted in the colony many years ago John Church and the speaker’s father were among those, who stood upon the public platform to expose Ireland’s wrongs and advocate her rights. ‘ Oamaru has thereforedone her duty in the past, and she is going to do her duty to-night by passing this resolution without one dissentient.’ Though they could not sway .the Empire nor materially influence the Imperial Parliament, their passing the resolution, would have a great moral effect. Great Britain no longer looked upon her colonies as an incubus. She could now look to them to support her in time of trouble as Ireland had done in the past. Talk about loyalty— was the Irish who had been loyal. .Tile landlords it was who had been disloyal by forcing the people of Ireland to quit their native shores. Mr. Eyre Evans seconded the resolution. He spoke of his return to Ireland in 1903, 'and the effect of misgovernment and misunderstanding in the country. He proceeded to state that they had no reason to fear sectarianism. If they sought for ecclesiastical tyranny, where would they find it in its most acute state,’ but in England, where Nonconformists were forced to pay taxes for sectarian education, and where in the House of Lords two archbishops and 24. bishops amused themselves in setting the clock of progress hack. In conclusion, Mr. Evans read an address to King George on his Coronation from Cardinal Moran and the archbishops and bishops of ‘Australia. The resolution was unanimously adopted. The Hon. T. Y. Duncan then proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Hazleton for coming 14,000 miles to explain the position in regard to Home Rule. He thought he could come to no more appreciative audience than a New Zealand audience, nor one which had better reason to. When New Zealand was proposed to be included as a part of the Commonwealth New Zealanders would not hear of it. They knew the disadvantages of such a union, and these disadvantages were the same as applied to Ireland. Mr. George Livingstone seconded the resolution. He spoke of the splendid possibilities of Ireland if it were properly managed, and said that if Ireland had the management of its own affairs the country would be prosperous. The resolution was carried by acclamation, and the chairman then announced that over £2OO would be sent to the fund from Oamaru. The meeting closed with the singing of a verse of the National Anthem. METHVEN. (From an occasional correspondent.) On Thursday evening last, Messrs. Redmond and Donovan addressed a crowded meeting in the Methven Hall, Mr. W. J. Dickie occupied the chair. Prior to the address of the delegates, Miss McKendry sang ‘ Killarney,’ for which she was heartily applauded; whilst Mrs. Dr. Golding s rendering of ‘The harp that once,’ was equally well received. The addresson lines similar to those delivered in other centres—Avas listened to with rapt attention.* A sum of £l2O was collected. The total amount for Ashburton County is approximately £350. GERALDINE. On Monday afternoon (says the Geraldine Mail of June 28) Mr. Hazleton, M.P., one of the Irish envoys, arrived in Geraldine. On his reaching the Borough Council Office, in front of which a platform had been erected, 'he Was received with cheers by a numerous assemblage. His Worship the Mayor (Mr. Kennedy), addressing Mr. Hazleton, said it gave him groat pleasure to extend to him on behalf of the corporation and townspeople a hearty welcome to Geraldine. They were proud to see amongst them a Member of the British House of Commons charged with an important mission, which the speaker was sure he would lay before them ably and logically, and that he would dissipate a number of bogeys. The proposals of their Prime Minister at the Imperial Conference were not carried, but he (the speaker) felt the time was not distant when such proposals would be carried and Ireland would be taking a prominent part in advancing the welfare ‘of the Empire. Councillor T. Sherratt also welcomed Mr. Hazleton tb the town, and wished him a successful tour because he was advocating a just and righteous cause. Councillor Dr. Paterson considered the borough was honored by having their guest in Geraldine. On the subject of Home Rule his own mind was open, but he intended to hear Mr. Hazleton and form an opinion. " I Mr. Hazleton thanked them heartily for their kindlv welcome. The present gathering reminded him of Ireland it was the first open air one he had addressed in New Zealand. In the country districts of Ireland 99 out of a 100 meetings were held m the open air, because it would

take a large hall to accommodate the numbers who attended. It had been a great pleasure to him to go through the Dominion and to see from .all sides kindness and sympathy extended not only to themselves as envoys, but to the.cause they represented. There were many who took’the- same broad view of the Irish question as Dr. Paterson. It was only natural that they were occupied with their own concerns and thq great majority were not acquainted with Irish affairs. All they wanted was a fair hearing, and that they got in New Zealand. He would have the opportunity of speaking at length that night, and he would say no more, but thank them for their kind welcome. In every district they had received an official welcome, and he thought it a splendid thing that their representative men had so heartily extended the hand of friendship and goodwill and proved themselves so ready to help himself and his colleagues. The Volunteer Hall was crowded on Monday night to hear Mr. Hazleton, there being about a thousand persons present, including a large number of ladies. The chair was taken by his Worship the Mayor, and with him on the platform were members of the Borough Council, the Road Board, and the reception committee. , ■ The Mayor introduced Mr. Hazleton who would, he. said, address them on a subject of great importance to the whole Empire. They possessed local self-government and recognised that it was a good thing for them, that being so they must be pleased to see the same privilege extended to their neighbors. Mr. Hazleton then delivered a very able speech, and at its conclusion, on the motion of Mr/Flatraan, seconded by Mr. J. Connolly, and supported by Mr. Mulvihill, a. resolution thanking him for his able address, and expressing sympathy with the cause of Home Rule, was declared carried unanimously. Air. Hazleton acknowledged the vote, and on his motion a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the chairman. r Air. Flatman anounced that the amount collected >n this district was £l5O. INVERCARGILL. (From our own correspondent.) Air. R. Hazleton, M.P., will arrive in Invercargill by the first express on Friday next,, the 7th inst. He will be driven to the Council Chambers, where he will be accorded a civic reception by the Alayor (Air. W. A. Ott), and he will receive an address of welcome from Invercargill sympathisers. In the evening the Hibernian Band will play Air. Hazleton from the Southland Club Hotel to the Theatre where the address will be delivered. Mr. Hazleton will leave Invercargill for Balfour (via Gore) by the 1.35 p.m. train on Saturday. ” PLEASANT POINT. (From an occasional correspondent.) On Wednesday, June 28, Air. Hazleton, AI.P., gave his Home Rule lecture in the Oddfellows’ Hall, which was crowded to the doors, fully 400 to 500 being present. Air. Hazleton gave a splendid speech, and was frequently applauded. He was supported on the platform by the local committee, Air. Crawford, J.P., being chairman. At the close of his speech, the usual motions were put and carried with acclamation, and subsequently Air. Rutherford (chairman of the Albury meeting), with permission • from the Pleasant Point committee, presented Air. Hazleton, on behalf of the Albury committee, with a handsome gold chain and medallion, suitably inscribed. Air. Hazleton remarked, in the course of the evening that considering the size of the township, the Pleasant Point meeting was the best attended of any he had lectured at in South Canterbury. The total amount subscribed by the residents for the Home Rule fund amounted to over £IOO.