CELTIC CLUB, WELLINGTON

New Zealand Tablet, 7 November 1912, Page 49

CELTIC CLUB, WELLINGTON

(From our own' correspondent.) The second function of the Celtic Club held at the Burlington Tea Rooms, Willis street, was a- decided success, there being about 150 members present. The Mayor (Mr. D. McLaren) presided, and he was supported by Sir Joseph Ward, and Mr. Martin Kennedy. Among those present were Sir James Carroll, Mr. J. A, Hanan, M.P., Colonel R. J. Collins, Major O’Sullivan, Captain Post, and Dr. A. McArthur, S.M. Apologies for absence were received from the Hon. A, L. Herd-: man, Mr. J. Vigor Brown, M.P., - Mr. T. E. Y. Seddon, M.P., Mr. C. P. Skt.rett, and Dr. Martin.

Dr. Cahill said he did not propose to present to them a historical sketch of the bluish bard, nor to enter upon an elaborate criticism of las work. Burns was above criticism, for criticism ended where genius began, and Burns was a genius. What he proposed to do was to speak of him as the representative of the spirit of Scottish character, as one who gave voice to the aspirations of a people rich in virile virtues and not without virile faults.. He then proceeded to trace the early struggles of the poet born under the thatch, describing his life as one commenced, continued, and ended in a hoar frost, with but one satisfaction in it, and that the love of his work. As the Scottish people were democratic, so Burns became the poet of democracy, but he was not an anarchist, for he demanded a well-ordered society. His intense love of his fellowman, his influence upon the political thought of his time and ever since were brought out by appropriate quotations from his works. His hatred of political tyranny and social oppression was not less than his contempt for religious hypocrisy. What lie valued in life more than anything else was God's noblest work an honest man.

In proposing a vote of thanks to the lecturer Sir James Carroll commended Burns as the first to emphasise the brotherhood of man. Mr. Martin Kennedy proposed the toast of the visitors, which was responded to by Sir Joseph Ward and Mr. J. A. Hanan, M.P. Speaking on behalf of the Celts of t the South Island, Sir Joseph Ward said it was a source of gratification to him to see that the Celtic Club was apparently going to be a very active institution. He was pleased to see many young men present, because it was the young generation who were going to rule not only clubs of that kind, but who were going to rule this country for many years to come. When the people in the Old Country realised that the younger generations in the overseas had terminated all the causes that had led to estrangement between the peoples who represented the rose, the shamrock, and the thistle, it would do % great deal towards cementing the nation closer together. If they wanted to rise into a great Empire the British people would have to sink their local differences. Mr. Hanan, M.P., spoke of the importance of keep ing alive the traditions of the race which were the seed of patriotism. No nation, he said, had ever lost its traditions and lived. We in New Zealand had not yet set our national life to music, but he looked forward to the day when our scenic beauties and the merits of our great men would be commemorated in song as were

those of Scotland, Ireland, and other branches of the Celtic people. ■ v I .1.-1 : _"..-' l: ,'."'._ ;

Mr. M. O'Kane was. secretary and is deserving of great credit for the successful - manner in which he carried: out his duties.