THE IRISH SELF-DETERMINATION FUND.

New Zealand Tablet, 1 April 1920, Page 23

THE IRISH SELF-DETERMINATION FUND.

v|tpsW •; -d; TO THE EdITOB. ic-hkL'' Sir, —In your latest issue there is an editorial; on the above subject, which, to many, appears to have an unnecessarily pessimistic ring about it. It • may be that your reminder was opportune, for we cannot forget that you saved, Dunedin Irishmen from’ the disgrace of ignoring the historic Convention of the Irish Race at Melbourne in'November last. But you undervalue the sterling and practical patriotism of New Zealand’s Irish as a whole by your jeremiad last week. v No doubt it is intended to get a move on after Easter and start the fund, wherever it is not yet initiated. What more appropriate day could he selected for the purpose? Easter Monday will live long in the memories of the Irish race as the day of Ireland’s resurrection. In America and Australia, as well as at Home, it is commemorated by memorial services for the eternal welfare of the men who died for Ireland. I know of at least one genuine patriot priest in the North Island who every day makes commemoration at the altar for the Easter martyrs. New Zealand will not allow the well-earned reputation for generosity to Ireland, which she earned in the past, to be frittered away by any paltry considerations or misunderstandings. You, sir, were not here in the past, when New Zealand Irishmen were showing the mettle of which they were made. Had you, for example, been in Dunedin when the centenary of ’Ninety-Eight was being celebrated, you would have been thrilled by the enthusiasm put into that movement by the late Father John O’Donnell and tho present revered Bishop of Auckland. The celebration necessitated opening up old sores as well as reviving glorious recollections. It was sad to reflect on Wexford's scon in bishop of that time, whose contribution to Ireland’s struggle consisted of firing impotent suspensions after the patriotic Wexford priests, who were leading their down-trodden people to victory or death. No one hesitated in the work of the centenary. The same spirit is still in New Zealand, and priests and people will combine to make a success and an immense success of the effort to help Ireland. Undoubtedly it will be the last- call on. the children of St. Patrick, for the end of the long struggle for justice and freedom is in sight. It would, no doubt, lie very desirable to have the funds ready to hand to Archbishop .Mannix when he calls at Auckland in a month’s time on his way to America and Ireland. But hurry is not 9 essential ; it is of importance to make a complete success of it. If I were a betting man I -would not mind giving you odds that New Zealand’s contribution to Ireland’s last appeal will easily top the score. — I am, etc., James O’Neill. Waikiwi, March 28.