THE DUBLIN RELIEF FUND AND THE 'PRESS’

New Zealand Tablet, 9 November 1916, Page 23

THE DUBLIN RELIEF FUND AND THE 'PRESS’

GREAT DEMONSTRATION IN CHRISTCHURCH. VIGOROUS PROTEST BY BISHOP PRODIE. (From our own correspondent.) As briefly announced, in the bust issue of the Tahiti, the Hibernian Hall was crowded to its utmost inch of space, even the platform, ante-rooms, and outside passage ways being invaded by the surging throng, which assembled to enter an emphatic protest against the strictures and criticism of the Christchurch From newspaper, levelled against his Lordship Bishop Brodie and the promoters of a previous gathering, which met to organise a relief fund to assist the starving women and children of Dublin. Prolonged and deafening cheers greeted his Lordship the Bishop on arrival, accompanied by the Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M. Indescribable enthusiasm pervaded Tuesday’s meeting, which was otherwise orderly in the extreme, and a credit to the Catholic body, and a compliment to its self-restraint, in the face of a most unwarranted attack on its episcopal head. His Lordship said that they were present in response to the invitation he made on Sunday morning when he stated that he would make some reference to matters that had been causing some comment during the past few days, lie deemed them matters not for pulpit reference, but matters which could, perhaps, be dealt with in a hall like the one in which they were, and in an assembly such as that present. His Lordship then called upon Dean Regnault to move the first motion. Very Rev. Dean Regnault, who was received with cheers, expressed regret at not being able to be present at the previous meeting, but would now re-affirm personally all that had been affirmed on that occasion. He then moved the following, resolution—‘ That notwithstanding the criticism levelled against the Dublin Distress Relief Fund movement, this meeting of Catholics

upholds the merit of the work, and pledges itself to do its utmost to make the appeal a success.’ (‘Hear, hear,’ and applause.) He said that he, a Frenchman, was present now out of gratitude to Irishmen who, in the early days of the war, had covered themselves in a special manner, and also the British Army, with military glory. (Continued applause.) One regiment bore the name of the city whose distress they were present to discussthe Dublin Fusiliers. (Applause.) Dean Regnault gave statistics regarding the poverty and destitution in Ireland, and said that the condition of affairs was such that the National Government in New Zealand, which they had nothing much to thank for, would have taken prompt steps to remedy. They had been told that Ireland was at present in ,a very prosperous condition, but everyone knew that great misery could be often found side by side with great prosperity. »Mr. James Douglas, who was an honest journalist, had testified to the'’fact that Ireland had not benefited through the golden flood of war expenditure. When the speaker went through Ireland recently he failed to see any munition factories. They were, he said, aware how the distress in Dublin had been caused, and it was not for him to say whether those who caused that distress were right or wrong h. was not for him to judge either the prudence or the folly of their conduct. Those men fought bravely they fought .a clean fight, and that was more than could be said of those fighting at the front on the east of France. (Applause.) They had fought a clean fight, and showed that they loved their country— it, perhaps, too well, perhaps not sufficiently wisely, but they loved their country more than their lives, and they died the death of Christian men. (Continued applause.) It had been stated that they had no authority to show that there was distress in Dublin : Why, they had the authority of the Archbishop of Dublin (A voice: ‘ That’s enough ’) —and that was enough for them all. (Applause.) The Archbishop of Dublin had cabled to the archbishops and bishops of America and. Australia. In Melbourne, where the Archbishop of Melbourne presided over the meeting called to discuss the distress in Dublin, a sum of over .£4OOO was raised. (Applause.) The speaker having dealt with the statements made by the Press and having paid a high tribute to the Irish soldiers at the front, concluded by expressing the hope that the audience would demons rate by the generosity of their contributions that they did not agree with the estimate of the reality of Ireland’s needs held by the Prtss. Air. H. H. Loughnan seconded the motion and said that he had been asked to do so at short notice. . He was only too glad to have an opportunity of doing so, and at the same time expressing the same belief which lie had always had of the existence of dire distress in Dublin. He could not account for the fact that any newspaper of repute—and they were proud of their newspapers in Christchurch should have thought that a large body, like the body that had assembled last Thursday night, was in the least degree likely to lose its head about the question then under discussion, or to be led to believe in an imaginary state of distress in Dublin. Tlmy knew perfectly wellit was not new to them to hear of distress in Dublin. They were well satisfied of its existence, and that it called for their help' and succor. They did not hesitate to express and maW known their feelings in that respect. (Applause.) It would have been—well, more courteous to the commonsense of the meeting to have accepted as a fact that the meeting was satisfied, and that there was good reason to be satisfied, that the distress in Dublin was very serious, and of a very dire and terrible nature. The motion was then put to the meeting and carried. (Loud cheers.) The second motion of the evening was then proposed by Mr. F. J. Doolan, who moved‘That this meeting expresses its sympathy with those relatives of fallen and wounded soldiers who were present at the Dublin Relief meeting of last Thursday, but who, notwithstanding their sacrifice for the Empire, had to bear their share of the criticism of the Press of last Friday.’

In support of his motion, Mr. Doolan said that the criticism levelled at last Thursday’s meeting must have touched many a sore spot in the hearts of those who attended the meeting, especially those who had members of their families fighting, at the front. As a denomination he maintained that the Catholics had done their share in this world-wide war. The motion was seconded by Mr. M. J. Corrigan who emphasised the part taken by Catholics in the war, who were proving their worth in . every part of the world where British troops were fighting. Patriotically there was not much wrong with a country which could produce nten like Michael O’Leary, V.C., and many more men who could equal him. (Applause.) The motion was carried unanimously amidst applause. SYMPATHY FOR THE BISHOP. Mr. F. Holley proposed the third motion, which was as follows ‘ That this meeting of Catholics offers its sympathy to Bishop Brodie, for the pain caused him by the'severe criticisms of the Press, in reference to the meeting held for the relief of distress in Dublin.’ The reception given to his Lordship that evening, said Mr. Holley, was sufficient proof of the fact that all in the hall were in the fullest sympathy with him. Everything that he had done, all must admit, was in order. (Applause.) In seconding the motion, Dr. A. B. O’Brien, in a very brief speech, said that if there was one man in Christchurch to whom they could trust themselves implicitly it was his Lordship. When he gave his guarantee that funds were to be collected for a certain purpose, all could rest assured that those funds would be devoted to that object alone, and it was a scurrilous thing for any newspaper to say that they would be diverted to any other purpose. He was sure that the Press would apologise for the misapprehension it had caused by its leading article of Friday last, and he was sure that all would give their hearty approval of the action which his Lordship had taken. (Applause.) The motion was carried amidst loud cheering. BISHOP BRODIE’S SPEECH. His Lordship Bishop Brodie, on, rising to speak, was received with continued, applause and cheers. He said that he felt great regret at being in the position he was in that evening. Since he came to Christchurch he had received the utmost courtesy and consideration from the press of Christchurch, and be had sounded the praises of the press of Christchurch, and thus the article in the Press of last Friday morning certainly came as a painful shock to him. He appreciated that night’s meeting’s resolution of sympathy, because he must admit that he had been hurt. ‘lf it is any satisfaction to the Press to know,’ he continued, ‘ that it has hurt me and cut me deeply, I grant them that satisfaction. And let me say this, and I think I can say it with God’s blessing, I have the same material here which animates the hearts and breasts of our Anzacs at the front. (Continued applause and cheers.) If I were called upon to do my duty for the Empire, as, they have done, I would not have quailed. And, now, when it has me set, after becoming a butt-—I may say-so, at least— after suffering the greatest criticism of last Friday, I will say to the Press : I will be brave —I will bear it like a man.’ (Applause.) The article of last Friday, his Lordship went on to say, told them that Christchurch had the unenviable reputation of being the only centre which did not make a protest on the occasion of the Irish rebellion. Well, they might ask why that protest did not go? He did not think that he was responsible ; he could give a reason if he were forced to, but he would say this : From this time forward Christchurch would stand out with a greater mark of ignominy upon it, and why ? Because. Christchurch alone, of all the centres in America, Australia, and New Zealand, had disputed the right to appeal for the starving widows and orphans of Dublin. (Continued applause.) He regretted that this could be said of Christchurch. He,was proud of Christchurch, but he felt humbled that, in pleading for the lives of the widows and orphans of Dublin they

had, as it were, to give sworn evidence, without which •they would not be believed. He defied them to produce an instance or example where, in a similar case, such evidence had been brought forward. But such had been the case in Christchurchand it was sad to have to admit that an appeal like this one had. been questioned. In Sydney, in a hall packed with 6000 people, it was simply given out that there was distress in Dublin—no arguments whatever—and what was the result ? The appeal went forward and produced £I7OO. (Applause.) There was no question in the press there about it—no, they vied one with the other to make the appeal a success. His Lordship then quoted the portion of the leader in Friday’s Press referring to the diversion of funds for the furtherance of political agitation in Ireland. Those, he said, were the words of the Press, and he defied the Press (continued applause)and thought the Press knew well the law of libel, and if the Press could produce statements in support of its contention, it knew that these would be the subject for two actionsone for the recovery of the money diverted, and its application to its proper channel ; and if the statements were not true, there would be cause for an action for libel. He said to the Press: Produce that statement, and then we will know what to do. (Hear, hear.) Suppose he said to the Press that there were statements in circulation that some of the moneys it had received for patriotic purposes had been misappropriated. What would the Press think of him if he did not produce those statements? He thought' he would be failing in his duty to the J'ress and to the Dominion in general if ho did not produce them and the authors of them. And as he would treat the Press he demanded that the /‘ress should treat him. (Hear, hear.) The article said that last Thursday’s meeting was practically a Nationalist demonstration. Apparently, continued his Lordship, the policy of the Press on Home Rule was one of antagonism he did not find fault with it for that. 1 But,’ he went on, ‘ I might tell the /'ress this: that in advocating Home Rule for Ireland I maintain that I am advocating a movement that is in the very best interests of the British Empire. (Loud applause.) And I say to the Press, notwithstanding their criticism, I will not pull down my colors. (Continued applause and cheers.) In the case of Ireland and Home Rule my views now are what they have been through life and, please God, will be till the day ot my death.’ (Applause.) When he advocated Home Rule he advocated a happy Ireland, he advocated the liberation of a race of soldiersmen who, when they had received justice and fair treatment from the British Empire, would be the finest soldiers that the Empire could produce. (Continued applause.) He was doing nothing contrary to the interests of the Empire in advocating Home Rule even while war was being waged. (Hear, hear.) Home Rule would make for the solidarity of the Empire. Was it, then, a crime to advocate it? Must they go to the Press and ask its permission to hold a Home Rule meeting The J'ress said that last Thursday’s meeting was practically a Nationalist meeting. If it were, he was not ashamed of it. (Applause.) A strange impression had been \ produced, by the article in the Press. He gave the editor credit for not intending to hurt or insult him, but the editor mustknow full well that very often impressions were produced that were not intended. 1 Now,’ his Lordship went on, perhaps the editor of the Press would be very prised to learn that his article of last Friday is considered one of the strongest anti-recruiting articles which have been written during the war. (Hear, hear.) Now, that is the impression. I have been told it by a most intelligent man, I say to the editor of the J'ress that during the war we should say nothing which would prevent the recruiting movement, least of all at the present time, when the authorities are in very sore straits to keep up the requisite numbers. And yet that is the impression produced. The feelings of some of our people are so painfully hurt that they would hesitate now to enlist before they are compelled to. lam

sorry that that is the interpretation that can be put on the article, and I know full well that the editor of the Press never intended to make that impression or convey such an inference.’ His Lordship then referred to the insinuations in the article, his remarks being somewhat on the lines of those made by him on Sunday morning. Referring to the insinuation that the funds raised for relief of distress in Dublin would be used for political purposes, his Lordship said that this might not have been intended, but those who were present at the meeting had felt the insinuation very keenly, and he could tell the Press that the insinuations went home to him. He had it from a solicitor, who was not a Home Ruler, that such an article would give him offence, .lie protested strongly against the Press writing in such a way. Referring to the opening sentence of the leader in Monday’s Press, his Lordship said that'it was not that he (Bishop Brodie) thought tit to make the matter a per sonal one: the general impression was that the insinuations were as stated, and that was why he objected to the article. ‘ When I walk the streets of Christchurch people can point to me and say: “There’s the Bishop of Christchurch that held that disloyal meeting last week. Isn’t it a shame for him, a disgrace to him?’’ So it has been a humiliation to me.’ His Lordship emphasised the duty, during the present crisis, of not hurting the feelings of upright and honorable citizens, and he asked the Press to discharge that duty. Quoting from the leader in reference to ‘ a time of political truce/ his Lordship said that he was inclined to give one reason why no protest was sent regarding the Irish rebellion. The leader also mentioned that it was impossible owing to want of sufficient information to support the appeal for the distressed in Dublin. ‘ I have made it a virtue in my life,’ said his Lordship, ‘to mind my own business, and it's a safe policy to adopt. I say, for want of sufficient information, the Dublin rebellion could not be regarded as my business, or the business of any Irishman in Christchurch. (Hear, hear, and applause.) The /Vex* well knows that there is information about the rebellion which it dare not produce. (Hear, hear, and applause.) I must admit that I have papers in my own house referring to incidents of the rebellion that would shock you if I told you about them. But I would not produce them because the laws of the military censorship would forbid me doing so, and I will not do anything that a loyal and law-abiding citizen ought not to do. . . I tell the Press this : I am not ashamed, in similar conditions, if the rebellion took place to-morrow, and if the censorship existed as it exists to-day, I would not. send a message even then.’ (Applause.) There would be no pulpit fulminations from him, but the J’ress must re* member that it was not dealing with ’thick-skinned politicians who at. election times had hard and bitter

tilings said about them, but who tolerated them as long as they got votes. The •'Press must, remember it was dealing with sensitive Irishmen—lrishmen who were proverbially sensitive, and who were easily hurt. The Press was dealing with some great, ' some magnificent force which was * a mystery to the Press and a mystery to the world. And what force was that? It was that force which bound together in indissoluble union the bishops, priests, and people of the Catholic Church. (Continued applause.) The Press had touched' him on the raw, but it need not fear pulpit lions, but it might have to fear the consequences': of its own writings and its own articles. (Hear, hear.) Without any word of his, the Press need not be surprised if it got notes from many of his people telling them that on account of the attitude they- had now

taken up they could no longer subscribe to the paper. (Continued applause.) It would not be for him to dictate that to i his peoplethat was an attitude he woi\ld not take up— he knew that his people were sorely hurt. When Friday’s article was put before him he was inclined to forget for a moment that he was a Bishop. (Laughter.) He then felt inclined to go back 100 years and to think what would have happened in the circumstances. (Laughter.) Did they know what it would have been ? As Dan. O’Connell said : ‘ Coffee and pistols for breakfast.’ (Laughter.) But they were not living 100 years back, but in 1916, and at a time when they expected kind and courteous treatment one from another. Concluding, his Lordship said that these were his views, and he was sorry he could not hold out the olive branch of peace and reconciliation. As to the appeal for the distressed in Dublin, he asked : ‘ Shall we here be intimidated and frightened by this sad criticism which has appeared in our papers? (Cries of ‘No.’) No ! Let us hurl defiance on those who would put obstacles in the way of such a grand and noble cause. It will only make us more generous and more determined to make it a' grand and triumphant success. We can say to the Press that their efforts have failed and that they have only brought about a four-fold and more generous response for the relief of the distress in Dublin. (Continued applause.)