SELF DETERMINATION

New Zealand Tablet, 6 November 1919, Page 23

SELF DETERMINATION

IRISH RACE DEMONSTRATION AT GREYMOUTH. ( V There , was a . crowded and most enthusiastic gathering last evening at the Greymouth , Opera House (says the Grey River Argus of October 31), on the occasion of the Irish Race Demonstration in favor of self-determination for Ireland, and the whole function proved not only the occasion of an instructive and convincing presentation of the case for Irish freedom, but was characterised by a depth of feeling that showed the sentiments of the. very representative assemblage were unmistakably with the object of the demonstration. Mr. Cotter, of Greymouth, presided, and there were present on the platform the Very Rev. Father Aubry, Rev. Father Clancy (Hokitika), and Father Eccleton (Reefton), County Councillor Donnellan, and Messrs. Malone (Brunner), Creagh (Brunner), Minehan (Cobden), and Daly (Greymouth). After Pollard’s had screened several very interesting films, the Marist Brothers’ Boys’ ‘Choir rendered in a spirited manner an Irish national number. The chairman said that the object of the demonstration was to voice the sentiments of the Irish people of the West Coast, together with those of many others, including many present in favor of Ireland’s right to exercise the prerogative of 'self-determination. As one who was proud to belong to the Irish race, it gave him great pleasure to be there on the occasion to join in the demonstration. After referring to the great Irish Convention in Melbourne, the speaker said Ireland’s claim to self-determination was simply a claim to the rights of democracy which Abraham Lincoln had defined so memorably as government of, by, and for the people. Sinn Fein, elected as it was by the overwhelming majority of the Irish people, was purely democracy in actual being. It stood for the government of Ireland by Ireland, and not by outsiders. The speaker quoted the well-known naval critic, Mr. Arthur Pollen, on the Irish question. After visiting America, Mr. Pollen, lecturing on the British Navy in the London Daily Chronicle, gave his impressions, which coincided with those of a New York gentleman of high position, a Republican in politics, a Scotsman by descent, and a Presbyterian by faith. This gentleman had said to him, “I do not knowhow highly Great Britain values the real and solid friendship of America. You will never get it until Ireland is treated as you treated South Africa. There is no solution but free democracy and equality for all.” Mr. Pollen said ho had asked this man for an accurate idea of American sentiment, and that was what he had affirmed. Mr. Cotter went on to say that Lord Northdiffc, after they flew across the Atlantic, sent this congratulatory message to Airmen Alcock and Brown; — “It is a happy augury that your journey started from that prosperous and contented Dominion of Newfoundland and ended successfully in the future equally happy and prosperous Dominion of Ireland.” The dawn for Ireland, he concluded, was near. The signs of the times all pointed to her being soon made free. Mr. M. Daly said he wished to voice the gratitude of those of the Irish race for support of Ireland’s rights by people of other nationalities, and especially by the Labor movement throughout the world. Everywhere Labor which, though not indeed infallible, yet never allowed its support to be bought) for a price or a consideration—stood up for Ireland, and this was a hopeful augury for that long-suffering country, as Labor would play a great determining part in the world’s future Irishmen had done much for Labor, which had in turn, studied Ireland’s case and learned from "it that Labor had the same enemy as Ireland to fight, namely, a greedy plutocracy. Sir Edward Carson was the paid retainer of that greedy oligarchy which, while it tramped on Ireland for the sake of material gain treated likewise the working class -wherever it existed. Sir Edward Carson had this year declared, when told by an Irish M.P., Ireland wanted Dominion Homo Rule, that he and his followers in Ulster repudiated Dominion Home Rule, as an unclean thing, and would have none of it. This was the kind of opposition the Irish people were now up against, but such hostility was fast coming to the end of its tether, and Ireland would soon be free in spite of it. Her people’ qualities fitted, them for something better than slavery. (Applause.) ■’ Mr. T. Hogan then sang “The Minstrel Boy,” and in response to an imperative encore rendered “'The Irish Emigrant.” -•- Rev. Father Aubry then gave a sketch of the career of Eamonn de Valera, the Sinn Fein leader, after, instancing how a military, despotism such as now prevailed in Ireland was sure to fail, as Napoleon’s brother Jerome found in Westphalia .. after the former V was . overthrown. He detailed do Valera’s youth and education, showing his

rare . ability, for mathematics,; '.which gained the high, pdst of ; ;ai professorship at Maynooth College, ■ Ireland’s greatest educational institution. He was a lead err of men, like his fellow-collegian, Archbishop Mannix of Melbourne, and his tour of . America proved him a statesman. Sinn Fein would prove in Ireland that a - military despotism ?? was unable to overthrow the > will of ; the real representatives of the people. De Valera was properly defined as a man who stood for right ; who did not fail his country who scorned to live , a supple . slave, and- who would die to know that his life was not lost. (Applause.) Rev. Father Clancy apologised for the absence of the Hokitika Hibernians, and expressed their sympathy with the object of the demonstration. He referred to Ireland’s past greatness,, and said her melodies of the times when England had only ■ inhabitants that were uncivilised, proved the culture of the Irish. . He showed how successive Acts of the English Government had, as it was said, hermetically sealed up the whole Irish export trade. During the time the world had progressed vastly. Ireland for 700 years had, under foreign dominion, been retarded in development, and now lacked even railways and mines. The Irish question was purely an economic one. It was a hopeful sign that Ireland’s heart stood sound still, despite all the repression. • He moved a resolution expressing the thanks of the meeting for America’s staunch port of Ireland’s right to self-determination. . (Applause.) The resolution was seconded by Rev. Father Aubry and carried unanimously, amid . cheers. . * , - Mr. Tom ■ Clark then -sang “Ireland a Nation,” and was vociferously applauded, the last verse, having to be repeated, and the displaying of the Sinn Fein flag evoked a great outburst of . enthusiasm. . " , • .. * . The Rev. Father Eccleton then moved the following resolution: —“That we, the descendants of the Irish race in Greymouth, New Zealand, and surrounding districts, in public meeting assembled, hereby declare our united support of Ireland’s claim, and determination to aid in obtaining its fulfilment further, that a copy of the resolution be cabled to the Secretary of the Irish Convention to be held in Melbourne on November 3.” The speaker, who was given an ovation, delivered an eloquent address, detailing the history of Ireland’s struggle for freedom. They were there (he said) firstly to appeal to the cold bar of reason ; not to passion or to hope, but to the sense of honor and justice that, is not yet dead in the hearts of honest men. They were there to protest against an injustice and a dishonor that operated against England as well as Ireland. They were there as Irishmen by both blood or by sympathy, all as lovers of freedom. Mr. Malone seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously amid prolonged cheers. Messrs. Clarke, Molloy, and Giffney then sang “Let Erin Remember,” and a memorable demonstration closed with the singing by the Marist Boys’ Choir of “A Nation Once Again.” Mr. Donnellan proposed and Rev. Father Clancy seconded a vote of thanks to the chairman, which was carried with applause.