MR. W.H.K. REDMOND, M.P,. IN FIJI

New Zealand Tablet, 12 March 1914, Page 45

MR. W.H.K. REDMOND, M.P. , IN FIJI

Perhaps the most distinguished passenger on the R.M.S. Marama to-day (says the Western Pacific Herald of February 18) was Mr. W. H. K. Redmond, M.P., brother of the Leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party. Upon the Marama’s arrival Mr. and Mrs. Redmond were met by the Rev. Father Thomas Fox and Mr. D. Smith (secretary of the Fiji Catholic Association), and were taken for a motor drive round Suva and surrounding country. , At 10 a.m. Mr. and Mrs. 1 Redmond repaired to Bishopscourt, where they were welcomed by the members of the F.C.A., and where light refreshments were served. Father Fox, in the course of , a short speech apologised for speaking at all, as he said he had that morning promised the member for Clare, that there would be no formality about his welcome to Suva, and especially no speeches. However, he felt that he was voicing the sentiments of all the members of the F.C.A., those absent as well as those present, in wishing Mr. Redmond and his wife a hearty welcome to Suva. One of the objects of the association, said Father Fox, was to welcome distinguished Catholic visitors to their shores. Mr. Redmond was certainly a distinguished Catholic, and in the House of Commons had always shown himself a champion of religious liberty, and for the Catholic Church in particular had always claimed a fair field and no, favor: That was all Catholics wanted.# ‘I must conclude,’ continued Father Fox, ‘otherwise my honorable friend will accuse me of making a speech, and breaking my word, but before concluding, I wish to add, that in addition to our admiration and good wishes, Mr. and Mrs. Redmond will ever be accompanied by our prayers to Almighty God for their health, happiness, and prosperity,’ Mr. Redmond, in reply, said I am most agreeably surprised at the cordial manner in which Mrs. Redmond and I have been received in Suva. Father Fox has been guilty of flattery when he called me a distinguished visitor. His complimentary remarks, and your cordial and warm reception, are, I am sure, meant more for the party in the House of Commons to which I belong, than to myself personally. Gentlemen, I am happy to be able to say, that if you want news from Home, I can give you good news; both from a religious and political point of view. lam able to report progress. Let me take one point as a sign of the times, and as a proof that bigotry and religious bigotry is gradually disappearing. One of the most painful scenes at which I have ever assisted in the House was when his Majesty the late King Edward took the oath of Accession, and, much against his own personal sentiments, was obliged by the Constitution to mortally insult the religious sentiments of many millions, of his faithful Catholic subjects, and class them as idolaters. This blot, gentlemen, has been removed from the Statute Book, and his Gracious Majesty King George was not compelled to do such a thing. There is one object the Irish Party have in view, and that is that Catholics and non-Catholics should work together hand in hand for the prosperity of Ireland. In conclusion, I wish to tell Father Fox, and you, gentlemen, and all the members of the F.C.A., how gratfui Mrs. Redmond and myself are. If ever you come' to our home in County Wicklow, we will be delighted to give you, if not as warm a reception, at least as cordial a one as you have given us to-day.’ . Mr. and Mrs. Redmond’s deep interest in education was evidenced by their visit to the convent, where they were received by the Rev. Mother Superior. The Cathedral building'also attracted Mr. Redmond’s favorable notice, and he was deeply impressed when told tha,t the stone had all come from the Pyrmont quarries at Sydney. " > ■ . Mr. and Mrs. Redmond during the day paid their respects to Sir Bickham and Lady Escotb, when Mr. Redmond’s curio collection was enriched by the addition of . a ‘..tab.ua the gift of his Excellency. They also saw

Mr. Mahaffy, whose father, the distinguished Professor Mahaffy, of Dublin University, is so well known ‘ a figure in Irish circles as to be looked upon as an institution in Dublin.’