VOLUNTEERING IN DUBLIN

New Zealand Tablet, 27 May 1915, Page 11

VOLUNTEERING IN DUBLIN

Sir Maurice Dockrell is a well-known Dublin Unionist gentleman whose Toryism may be described as ‘ rampant,’ but a fairly capable commercial * magnate,’ who is esteemed by all parties (says the Irish Weekly). He presided at a ‘recruiting meeting’ held in the Rathmines Town Hall, and, in the course of a speech, contradicted the statement, made by interested parties, that Ireland was not doing its duty in sending recruits to the front. He said : ‘ Now that Ireland has begun to roll up her sons for the fighting line, the Dresden Anzeiger sneers at the smallness of Ireland’s contribution. They have by no means heard the last of the Irish, and we have given them a taste of our quality upon many a stricken field. Ours were the bayonets that helped to baulk them of their prey during the long and memorable retirement from Mons and when the Germans are finally crushed, as crushed they will be, Irishmen will be in at the death. Let no one suppose that this war is over, and that we need no more men. . . . Speaking for the Recruiting Offices in Grafton street, with which I am connected, volunteers are coming forward each week in increasing numbers, and last week was a record recruiting week. Letters have appeared in the public press suggesting that there is great apathy among clerks and other young fellows engaged in business houses. That has not been my experience ; and I bear willing testimony to the fact that many fine young fellows belonging to my staff have, without the smallest pressure from me, joined the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, South Irish Horse, and other regiments.’