SELF-DETERMINATION FOR IRELAND LEAGUE OF NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand Tablet, 9 June 1921, Page 21

SELF-DETERMINATION FOR IRELAND LEAGUE OF NEW ZEALAND

Miss Catherine Hughes, of Canada, who has been touring Australasia, delivered a lecture at the Town Hall under the auspices of the newly-formed Self-Determination for. Ireland 'League (writes our Wellington correspondent, under date June 2). There was a large attendance. Mr. P. J. O’Regan presided, and on the platform were his Grace Archbishop O’Shea, Miss Killen (president of the ladies’ auxiliary of the League), and Mrs. F. J. Bourke (secretary). Miss Hughes gave a most interesting lecture on the situation in Ireland, quoting from the reports of eminent publicists in England, and also Anglican bishops and clergymen and well-known British army officers regarding the terrible persecutions of the people of Ireland by the English oppressors. Miss Hughes was listened to with rapt attention throughout her most interesting lecture, which lasted for two hours. At the conclusion of her address she was accorded a vote of thanks on the motion of his Grace Archbishop O’Shea, which was accompanied by enthusiastic cheers for both Miss Hughes- and for the cause she so ably advocated. Miss Hughes left for Sydney today on her return journey. : - 1 RIVERTON. On Sunday, the sth inst., branches of the Self-Deter-mination for Ireland League were established at Otautau, Flint’s Bush, and Riverton. Very Rev. Father James O’Neill, by invitation of the parish priest (Father Buckley), explained the objects of the League, and had the satisfaction of seeing an enthusiastic response to his appeal. Mr. M. O’Brien was unanimously elected chairman at Otautau and Mr. Mooney honoraryx secretary; Mr.

O’Meara (chairman) and Mr, D. O’Connell (secretary) at Flint’s Bush; and Mr. P. Fahey (chairman) and Mr. Geary (secretary) at Riverton, with a committee consisting of Irishmen, Englishmen, and Scotchmen. Father Buckley was elected treasurer foil, the whole parish. Judging ■by the generosity with which contributions for the relief of Irish distress were subscribed, it is safe to say that the Riverton parish have put up another record. When Ore-? puki, Tuatapere, Te Wae Wae, and the other parts of the parish have linked up with the rest next Sunday, a still greater success will have been achieved. MO SGI EL. The Mosgiel branch of the League met on last Sunday, Mr. J. McGettigan presiding in the absence, through illness, of the president (Mr. T. Wilkins). The enrolment of members had met with great success, and liberal contributions to the-funds had been received. A large quantity of propaganda literature had been distributed amongst the people of the town ap,d district. Messrs. D. O’Brien and J. P. Walls were appointed delegates to the convention at Dunedin. *