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Hokitika Guardian, 26 October 1917, Page 2

The reference by Air. Redmond <.» Irish affairs in the British House of Commons brought forth a singularly frank expression on the Irish question from the Chief Secretary and a clear and definite pronouncement from the Prime -Minister of Great Britain. In this way Mr. Redmond’s ventilation of an almost tabooed subject while tho Convention was sitting, was certainly to be welcomed. WTia- has been said in the Commons should clear the air and make the outlook for a practical settlement of Irish affairs not beyond the region of actual possibility. Air. Duke with the preciseness of a dissecting barrister analysing the strength and weakness of a case, minutely examined the condition. of Ireland. He was able to make out an excellent case for the fostering hands of the Government, and he was no less clear in putting his finger on the rebellious spirit more or less rumapant, and the desire to revolt against law and order Air. Duke appears to have stated the case with studied judgment, without a tinge of bitterness. Indeed Beseems to have spoken more in sorrow than in anger, speaking regretfully that- there was a large and important clan in Ireland whose chief bents was not to submit to Government control whatever form it might take under the moulding power and judgment of an impartial Convention. lie indicated how Great .Britain’s pre-sent enemies had fostered the regrettable rebellion of eighteen months, or so, ago, and spoke as though sources of financial strength were still drawn from enemy quarters. If this be really so, the temperate comment of Air. Duke is proof of the lengths the British Government is .prepared to go in the effort to amicably settle the Irish question on lines of reasonable control from within.

The earnest desire of the Government of Great Brit-ann to settle Irish Affairs amicably once and for all, -is farther emphasised by tho declarations of Air. Lloyd George in the Commons debate. The Prime Minister went the length of agreeing to translate to the statute hook any substantial agreement! reached by the Convention now sitting to determine the complex issues of Home Rule for Ireland. Irish self-Gbvern-ment has for long been an insoluble problem. There has been the sharp and bitter divisions among the population, and these would not he reconciled by any act of Party Government. Air. Lloyd George attempted the task under the Asquith National Alinist-ry but a premature announcement of tho lines of settlement led to the upsetting of the plans for a pJawi broad adjustment of the difficulties which the factional parties in Ireland have created. Now we have the last hope* for a legal settlement of the question which has assumed such a national greatness, through the Convention called -together by Mr. Llovd George’s Alinistry, and sitting at Dunlin. When the Convention began it seamed hopeless to expect satisfactory results. But there was great wisdom shown in the choice of the chairman and under the presidency of Sir Horace Plunkett great expectations have been raised. The Convention bad dealt with the problem in a sectional way, experts for each lane of difference. Compromise will be inevitable, and if this he shown in a. fair spirit, the foundations for a stately national structure should he laid. Tt would give universal relief if the great Irish controversy could he laid at rest, and in the end the talents of the wonderful people were directed to channels conducive directly to their national welfare.

Mr and Mrs A. Dann, of Kanien Forks, insert a notice of thanks in this issue.

Mr. Patrick Nolan, a very old identity of the West Coast, and resident of the Grey Valley, passed away on the Grey River Hospital on Wednesday. Ho was a native of County Galway, Ireland, and 72 years of age. Mrs P. Kennedy, of Totara Flat, and Mrs Darcy, of Ahaura, are sisters of the deceased.

It is with regret that we announce the death of an old and esteemed resident of the town in the person of Mrs. Henry Thomas, widow of the late Mr. Henry Thomas, and a well known fruiterer some years ago, which took placed at- the Westland Hospital yesterday after a short illness. The deceased who was a native of Harwich, England and 70 years of ago had been resident in Hokitika for a long period of vears.

It ’is feared that it will be difficult to obtain the requisite number of benzine tins (76), and benzine or kerosene cases (38), required for packing the Lady Liverpool Easter Gift Parcels for the Westland Boys at the Sront. Tins and cases are thereiore most earnestly solicited for this purpose. Mr Morgan i(tobacconist) kindly consented to prepare tins for use. Donors are therefore requested to leave tins as soon as possible at Mr Morgan’s, as the matter is urgent.' Cases may he left outside Mr Keller’s No, 5 Sample Room, Mr Keller having again kindly lent those premises for the packing. The triennial County elections are aiiounced in this issue for the Westland district, as also the election of six mem hers for the Westland County on the Charitable Aid Board. The polling day is the second Wednesday in November, the 14th prox. Nominations for both the Westland County Council and the Charitable Aid Board close on next Tuesday week (6th prox.) at the County Office, Hokitika, at noon. It is understood that in most instances the sitting members of the County Council are not likely to meet with oppositon for their re-election. For the Charitable Aid Board there is likely to be a dearth of candidates unless greater interest is shown in the matter before nomination day.

The Westland Racing Club is issuing a programme of £I,OOO for the Midsum mer Meeting in January next. The number and allocation of-the events is somewhat similar to the 1915 programme when £I,OOO were given, spread over 14 events. As usual the programme will include two trotting events each day, one being saddle and the other in harness. The principal events on the programme will be the Westland Mile of 130 sovs. the Hokitika Handicap of 1-J miles, 100 sovs. and the Century Trot (2 miles, harness) of 100 sovs. As it is unlikely excursion trains will be running, the railway traffic will be confined to the ordinary train service which will entail starting and finishing earlier than lias been customary. The first event will be run about 11.30 o’clock, and the. last race will start at 4.30, thus affording suitable connection with the outward ordinary trains. The Club’s • programme will he circulated as soon as possible.