The Irish Envoys in Tasmania

New Zealand Tablet, 7 March 1912, Page 9

The Irish Envoys in Tasmania

Messrs. R. Hazleton, M.P., W. A. Redmond, M.P., and J. T. Donovan, LL.B., were accorded a civic reception on arrival) in Hobart. The reception which took place in the Mayor's room, was attended by the Premier (Sir Elliott Lewis), Senators Long and O’Keeffe, Mr. Laird Smith, M.H.R., Aldermen W. Cooper and C. J. Atkins, Messrs. M. MRyan (president), E. J. O’Brien, T. D. Carroll (secretary), and members of the local branch of the United Irish League. ■ . The Mayor (Alderman A. Crisp) proposed the toast of the three guests, and gave them a most hearty welcome to the city. These gentlemen had been selected by the Irish Party to come to the Commonwealth and New Zealand to advocate the cause of Home Rule. They . had now come to Tasmania, where they could be sure of a fair and impartial hearing. He hoped that their mission would be a success. He had been reading the cables, and had come to the conclusion, after reading Mr. Winston Churchill’s speech, that Home Rule would soon be an accomplished fact. The Premier (Sir Elliott Lewis), in supporting the toast, also welcomed the three envoys to this State. Two of them were distinguished members of the House of Commons, and the other was a distinguished member of a "distinguished University. When he was in England he had emphasised the desirability; of more of the public men in the Mother Country visiting Australia. The Irish were noted for their warm-hearted hospitality, and the envoys would find that in Tasmania a similar hospitality prevailed, although perhaps not on such a lavish, scale as in some of the wealthier States on the mainland. He wished the visitors every success on their mission. . • ’ Messrs. -Hazleton and Redmond replied. In the evening, at a large and enthusiastic gathering in the King’s Hall, presided over by the Mayor (Alderman Crisp), the envoys delivered eloquent and patriotic addresses on the subject of ‘ Ireland’s Claim for Self-government.’ Among those on the platform were members of the Federal and State Parliaments, Alder-

men of the city, officers of the U.1.L., H.A.C.B. Society, C.Y.M.S., and other prominent citizens. The Mayor, in introducing the speakers, said. it must be gratifying to them to see such a large and enthusiastic gathering to hear them that evening. They had been sent out here to explain Home Rule to the Commonwealth, and he was sure that the audience would have an intellectual treat.CV After addresses had been delivered by Messrs Hazleton, Redmond, and Donovan, a resolution, proposed ( by Mr. J. Earle, M.L.C., expressing the entire sympathy of the meeting ' with thd desire of the Irish people to obtain a measure of self-government, was agreed to. The Mayor announced before the termination of the proceedings that, the sum of £lO7 10s had - been contributed to, the Home Rule fund by those present. At the Albert Hall, Launceston, Messrs. Rodmohd and Donovan, the Irish envoys, gave addresses on Home Rule to a large and enthusiastic gathering. , Mr/ P. McCracken presided, and at the close of the meeting it was announced that £IOO had been subscribed.