Letter from republican organiser The O’Rahilly on volunteers triggers sharp response

1916/2016: a miscellany

A daily notebook, Monday to Friday, recalling the events of the day 100 years ago leading to the Easter Rising and a noticeboard for the commemorations this spring.

January 6th, 1916

The British Trades Union Congress (TIC) opposes the conscription (Compulsion) Bill by majority of more than a million. Labour ministers in the coalition government who have supported the measure feel obliged to leave the cabinet.

The London Times denounces effects of socialists in the ranks of the TUC.

Sixty nationalists vote against the Bill, although the measure excludes Ireland, but first reading approved. “Mr W O’Brien , Mr Healy and their friends however declined to vote against the Bill.”

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IT Editorial : " The Compulsion Bill is extremely moderate in its terms. It provides that if, after due opportunity of enquiry, it is found that there are single men of military age who have no ground whatever for exemption or excuse, they shall be deemed to have 'attested.' This simple provision ingeniously avoids any necessity of prescribing penalties ; for, when the men 'deemed to have attested' are called into the Army, they will thereby become subject to military law."

IT Editorial: "Tipperary has been chosen for the first depot in Ireland for wounded soldiers in the post-hospital stage of recovery. The depot established there will accommodate 4,000 of such men."

Navan Board of Guardians declines to act on a letter from The O’Rahilly deploring the arrest of republicans. A Mr Carty fulminates that while “our men” are dying in the trenches, “that these men should go against them !”

Attempt at Rathmines Urban Council to restrict Sunday opening of local cinema fails. Mr H Higginson, secretary to the Rathmines Ratepayers’ Protection Association, argues that: “In these days people liked to think and act for themselves . . . Many found that Sunday was the only opportunity for a little innocent, edifying, and instructive recreation . . . Servants and others who only got a very occasional few hours off they found ‘the pictures’ far more attractive than meandering round the Dodder. (Laughter. )”

Wanted: – Man and Wife as Butler and Cook; Protestants: wife must be a good cook and understand dairy and good butter maker; both must have excellent references . . . experienced ploughman; must thoroughly understand all farm machinery. Apply with copies of papers and particulars to . . . South Wicklow, good general yardman (ineligible for army). Send full particulars . . .