EIGHTY CLUB AND IRELAND'S CLAIMS

New Zealand Tablet, 30 November 1911, Page 2443

EIGHTY CLUB AND IRELAND'S CLAIMS

RELIGIOUS BOGEY SCOUTED

The Eighty Club’s tour in Ireland terminated on September 30. Before leaving Irish soil the hon. secretary of the Club sent the following telegram to Mr. Redmond: ‘ Members of Eighty Club visiting Ireland ask me to say they return to England immeasurably streng- ‘ thened in their convictions of the justice of Ireland's claim for an immediate grant of Home Rule. They are especially impressed by the growing amity between Catholics and Protestants.—R. C. Hawkin.’ The following are some impressions by members of the party : Lord Saye and Sele.— am impressed by two things Wherever we have gone in Ireland, outside Belfast, it has been very difficult to find people who do not want Home Rule; secondly, it has been very strongly impressed upon my mind that the idea that Catholics and Protestants are living at enmity with each other is untrue. I have been struck with the growing prosperity of Ireland under careful administration. I cannot help thinking that if the men on the spot governed that country its prosperity would further increase. Mr. 11. Carr-Gomm, M.P.—lreland, formerly a self-governing nation, has now been ruled from London for over one hundred years. Latterly, it is true, she has prospered, and there is now a, new spirit abroad in the land. Yet we have found everywhere urgent need for the creation of a sound and healthy state of public opinion. The lack of this is at the bottom of all Ireland’s difficulties, and the remedy the restoration of an Irish Parliament, which will create in the Irish people a real sense of responsibility. Once this is done the fears and forebodings of Unionism will be forgotten, and both parties in Ireland will share equally in the successful development of this free and loyal, country. Mr. E. Crawshay Williams, M.P,— think that the tour has been a thorough success. . . We have fired the first shots in a conflict which will be fierce and long and in which we should now be the better able to bear our part, Mr. Winfrey, M.P.—I visited Ireland in 1887, at the time of the eviction scenes, and became a convinced Home Ruler then. My present visit has confirmed me in the faith. . . I am satisfied that the Irish people have made the very best use of their local self-government, and that county and district councils are doing quite as effective work as in England. As for the religious bogey, that has never troubled me in the least. It is quite evident that at least half of the population in Ulster are Home Rulers. I come back prepared to vote for any Home Rule Bill which the Government in their wisdom think fit to introduce. Mr. Cecil Harmsworth, M.P.There are two remarkable features of the Ireland of to-day—(l) Ireland is visibly more prosperous than she was only , a few years ago, and there is a far more friendly feeling among the people of the different religious and poli- ' tical creeds. . . Given ample guarantees for conscience and property under the Home Rule Bill, I believe that Ulster could be persuaded to come into line. Has not Sir E. Carson already brought Belfast round to the support of a separate constitution (a Republican one apparently) for Ulster? Sir John Benn, ex-M.P. for Devenport Eighty Club visit to Ireland has made clear to every ■ member of the party that if the concession of domestic self-government is generously given the Irish people will be second to none of Kihg George’s subjects in loyalty to the Throne and devotion to the Empire. It is a libel on this beautiful country to say that Catholics and Protestants cannot and will not amalgamate for the common good. When the test question of Home Rule is settled the door will be opened for the best sons of Ireland, irrespective of creed, to serve her in every capacity. - N