COMMONWEALTH NOTES

New Zealand Tablet, 18 March 1920, Page 35

COMMONWEALTH NOTES

NEW SOUTH WALES. When the Federal Parliament met on Thursday, Mr. Hugh Mahon gave notice of the following motion (says the Catholic Press of March 4) (1) That, deploring the existence of a state of martial law in Ireland, the occupation of that country on a war footing by the military forces of the Crown, the suppression of public assemblages and of the newspaper press, the arbitrary arrest and detention, without trial, in foreign prisons, of members of Parliament and other popular leaders, this House considers that the situation thus created is inimical to the Empire, and its parts tends to check American co-opera-tion in restoring peace to Europe, and is in conflict with the theory that Great Britain entered the late war to vindicate and preserve the liberty of small nations. (2) That in view of the neglect for nearly six years of the British Government to enforce the Act of Parliament conferring self-government upon Ireland, and of the failure of that authority to otherwise satisfy the legitimate demands of the Irish nation, this House hereby directs the Australian representatives on the Council of the League of Nations to urge that body to take immediate steps to erect in Ireland such form of government as may be required by a vote of a majority of the adult population of Ireland. (3) That copies of the foregoing resolution be conveyed (1) to his Excellency the Governor-General for transmission to the British Government (2) to the President of the United States of America, and (3) to the Secretary to the Council of the League of Nations. TASMANIA. Dr. Barry is now known in this State as one of the most fearless and able champions of Ireland, and ho will very soon be to Tasmania what Dr. Mannix is to Victoria in connection with the Irish cause (says the Melbourne Advocate). During the course of his reply to an address of welcome at West Devonport, Dr. Barry made some reference to Ireland’s case, being probably prompted to do so by some remarks made by the Hon. J. A. Lyons, M.H.A., on tne “old land. ’ Ills Grace had something to say on the misrepresentation that was abroad with regard to Ireland, and indicated how misunderstood and -i ilified she was. He referred to Ireland as the only white mans country in the world where the people were not free to choose their own government. The present young and rising generation would, he was sure, not condone such treatment, as such generation was better educated than its forefathers. His Grace pointed out that Ireland was the place ichevc young girls were (/doled 7 since quite recently eight young girls were gaoled for selling the flags of Ireland in the streets. The Nationalist press in Ireland was blotted out, and the existing- papers were not allowed to make out the case for the Irish people. A ban had been placed on all field games, including football and handball. All this had been done after the world had been made ‘‘safe for democracy” by the great war—after the saving of the world from the Huns and the freeing of all the smaller nations of the world from bondage except lieland. He asked his hearers if they realised that in Ireland there was an army of about 100,000 men, with tanks bombs, and machine-guns, and this force was greater than that which General French had when he first set out to fight the Germans. Some of the brave men who had ought on Gallipoli and in Flanders had been shot down b> this army ’ and this army had driven from the streets ir' oir/ Sl " ters of the Irish soldiers who had shed their blood for their common freedom. Dr. Barrv said that he was sure, the Irish, the Australians, the Americans and other Allies had not fought for freedom for other nations and a system of feudalism for Ireland. The police in Heiand went round armed with bombs; and if a, cat called behind a hedge, or a cow moo’d, the first thinthat was done was to throw a bomb and to enquire after what happened. “Surely,” concluded Dr. Barry “such a democratic country as Australia does not wish to see the heavy hand of militarism placed on Ireland after freedom s fight has been won in the world.”

VICTORIA. tKn There was a great deal of talk during the war about : J alleged disloyalty and disaffection of the Catholic body (said Ins Grace Archbishop Mannix speaking at a Communion breakfast at Port Melbourne on a recent Sunday) Catholics were said to be a cancer in the Commonwealth. There were those who would cut out the obe C i r ff rOl B t ? 6 i oot> V° that there would not be a Catholic left. But when they recovered their senses more or less, they found that Catholics had gone to the war in

their, due proportion; that they had done -their share’; of war work, in spite of all the abuse; that they had actually won their share of Victoria Crosses ’ and other ’ military distinctions; and that they filled their own proportion of ’ the Australian graves in France and Gallipoli. Arid, mind, this was done by Catholic-Australians, without any recruiting speeches from their bishops or priests. Whatever credit attaches to the Catholic soldiers belongs to themselves entirely. . Now, what has all this to do with our St. Patrick’s Day procession? It has this to do with it: These Australian soldiers, many of them, marched in the St. Patrick’s Day procession before they went to Europe to fight for small nations; they wish, on their return, to march as before, and there are people in Melbourne who deny them the right to do so. Apparently, there are some who would scarcely, allow Catholics, soldiers or civilians, to breathe the air of Australia or walk the streets of Melbourne. They know that the St. Patrick’s Day demonstration is going to be a big success, and just because it is going to be a striking success they wish us not to have the procession at all. What is particularly unpleasant for them is that the returned soldiers will take part in the procession. But the soldiers mean to teach them that they, like Catholics generally, can -be loyal to Australia and loyal enough to the Empire to risk their lives in its defence, without condoning or approving English misrule in Ireland. Some people have been always ready to talk about loyalty and Imperialism and the Efnpire as if they were the only loyalists in Australia, and as if they were the only ones whose boys went to the Front. They will get a much-needed lesson on St, Patrick’s Day. For I hope that the most notable and the most striking part of the procession this year will be the section of the returned soldiers. Their loyalty cannot be questioned. But equally beyond question is their right to urge that Ireland is one of the small nations, for whose freedom they longed and fought. When the soldiers heard of the efforts to stop St. Patrick’s Day procession, many of them wrote to me, and asked that a place should be found in the procession for Australian soldiers, Catholic and nonCatholic. They pointed out that Catholic and non-Catholic soldiers could join as comrades in walking up Bourke Street, just as they had done at the either side of the world in the trenches. A few days ago a large meeting of soldiers, Catholic and non-Catholic, was held, and the men took the organisation of the soldiers’ section into their own hands completely. Judging by the tone of that meeting, the matter may well be left to the soldiers. I hope the returned soldiers’ demonstration will make certain people open their eyes, if anything can. Some who are opposed to the procession asked their friends to remain away. I hope that they will come and watch everything clasely. WEST AUSTRALIA. The Hibernian Hall, Perth, was densely packed on Monday evening, when a public meeting was held to advocate the cause of self-determination for Ireland, and to inaugurate the West Australian appeal (says the TF..4. Record of February 28). The attendance both on the platform and in the hall bore evidence of the popularity of Ireland’s righteous cause in this State, and the first list of subscriptions to the fund as read out by the chairman at the close of the meeting, and totalling £215, proved the sincerity of the expressions that were voiced. The chairman, whose table was draped with the green, white, and gold, typical of the aspirations of the Irish nation, was Mr. Walter Dwyer, LL.B. He was supported by his Grace Archbishop Chine, the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. P. Collier, M.L.A.), Messrs. Thos. Walker, M.L.A.), Frank Troy, M.L.A., Cunningham, M.L.C., leaders of the organised Labor movement, Monsignor Verling, Chancellor More Hallinan, and others well known for their ardent Irish sympathies, occupied seats on the platform. Many of the clergy and Christian and Marist Brothers were among the audience.. The proceedings were most enthusiastic. -. •