THE IRISH ENVOYS

New Zealand Tablet, 20 July 1911, Page 1355

THE IRISH ENVOYS

DUNEDIN. At a meeting of the committee in connection with the Irish envoys' visit to Dunedin, held on Monday night, Rev. Father Coffey, Adm,, presiding, it was announced that, after paying all expenses, Dunedin’s contribution to the Irish Parliamentary Fund would be £455 15s 6d. QUEENSTOWN. Mr. J. . T. Donovan arrived in Queenstown on Saturday evening, July 8. He received an enthusiastic welcome from the Mayor, Mr. J. Edgar, and the executive of the local reception committee and their friends. The delegate was then escorted to the Mountaineer Hotel, where he was formally welcomed. His Worship the Mayor, Mr. J. Edgar, on behalf of the town (says the WaJcaiip Mail), extended a hearty welcome to Mr. Donovan, and expressed regret that Mr. Redmond was not also with him. He was particularly pleased to state that by the visit of the delegate the people of Queenstown would have an opportunity of hearing the case properly stated 1 for Ireland. They had the sympathy of the people of the colonies. The following address was presented to Mr. Donovan : ‘On behalf of those who are in sympathy with the cause of Home Rule for Ireland, it gives us considerable pleasure to extend you on your visit to Queenstown and district a hearty and cordial welcome. We felt highly honored and gratified when we heard of your intended visit to Lake Wakatipu. We are extremely pleased to hear of the magnificent success of your mission and the unbounded enthusiasm which has. greeted you throughout this Dominion, along with your distinguished compatriots, Messrs. Hazleton and Redmond, who we regret are not present with you to-night. We firmly believe that the granting of Home Rule to Ireland would result in a marked benefit to Ireland and increase the prestige of the British Crown. Not only Irishmen but thoughtful young New Zealanders are to a man in favor of Home Rule. This young country has the privilege of making its own laws, and the refusal of such a common and natural right as Home Rule for Ireland is one of those things which intelligent colonists cannot understand. We are sure that the dawn of freedom is over the horizon, and it will be our pleasure shortly to congratulate you on the passing of •a Bill providing for the holding of an Irish Parliament. Assuring you of our continued goodwill, and moral and financial support, we have the pleasure, on behalf of your sympathisers in subscribing our names.’ Here followed a list of signatures. Mr. Donovan, in replying, said that in the first place he had to thank the Mayor and reception committee for the kind, courteous, and enthusiastic manner in which he had been welcomed to Queenstown. He thanked Mr. Mcßride for the address presented to him. It was perfectly just that this young country was given the right to make its own laws and only natural that the Irish people should have the same privilege extended to them. Mr. Donovan was the guest of the Rev. Father O’Donnell on Sunday, and he lunched with Mr. F. Mcßride, at French farm, Frankton, on Monday.

GISBORNE. . - ' July 16. . Mr. R. Hazleton arrived here on Saturday morning, and was. accorded a civic reception. •In the afternoon he held an ‘At home ’.at the Gisborne Hotel, and received a large number of friends and sympathisers, of the Home Rule movement. , In the evening he addressed a large. gathering, giving a stirring speech. To-day there wasan informal reception at the mayoral residence, and the visitor sailed for the south in the evening. Over £2OO has -been collected in 'this. district in aid of the funds of the movement. Mr. Hazleton paid a high tribute to the press of New Zealand, for the generous support it has accorded the- delegates. BALFOUR. ■« The Balfour Town Hall was. well filled- on . Saturday, night, when Mr. Hazleton, M.P., addressed a public meeting. Mr. James Butler occupied the-chair, and there were also on the platform many prominent residents of the district. The chairman introduced Mr. Hazleton, who, in opening his address, said it was a great pleasure-to him to visit the people of Balfour and acquaint them with the position of affairs in Ireland. Since he arrived in New Zealand he had met with help and every kindness at the hands of the people, and he found from one end of the country to the other people of all denominations sympathetic on the subject he had to deal with. The -speaker dealt with the subject for an hour and st|v half on the same lines as in the address he delivered' at other centres, and throughout his speech he held the close attention of the audience, who frequently applauded his remarks. y At the conclusion of the address Mr. Daley moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Hazleton, which was carried by acclamation. The chairman, on behalf of the committee, presented Mr. Hazleton with a travelling rug, which the latter feelingly acknowledged, saying that the gift would ever remind him of the kindness he had received at Balfour. . A collection was taken up and it was announced that £6O had been received. During the collection Irish airs were played by Miss Mulqueen. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chair, proposed by Mr. Hazleton. Prior to delivering his address Mr. Hazleton was entertained by the committee at dinner in Mr. Timpany’s hotel. Mr, Butler presided, and the following toast list was honored: 1 The King,’ by the chairman j ‘ Our Guest,’ proposed by Mr. D. Daley and responded to by Mr. Hazleton ; ‘ The New Zealand Parliament,' proposed by Mr. Collins and responded to by Mr. T. Pound; ‘The Irish Parliamentary Party,’ proposed byMr. P. Mulqueen, sen,, and responded to by Mr. Hazleton. >