SITUATION IN IRELAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 November 1917, Page 1

SITUATION IN IRELAND.

A CRITICAL POSITION

TFT K CONVENTION’S WORK

fAUSTRALIAN it N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION']

LONDON November l(i

Tlio Australian Cross Association's representative, - at present visiting Fro land writes: The situation .is critical luit hopeful. The crux olthc prohlout is no longer, as during the past thirty years, Ulster's refusal to consider Home Mule, Init the develop-inest of a new difficulty—the Sinn Coin movement —which is spreading like wildfire through National Ireland. The Sinn Fein leaders express the wildest -and oftifn treasonable views and urge their followers to drill and study the methods and weapons of war, hot the party embrace:; a vast number of moderate men and women

who, the rajlrese-ntative believes would accept a settlement, on flic basis of Colonial Home Rule. The latter pointed out that the movement was mainly as a, firm<-M against the alleged Redmondite inactivity. It is almost the unanimous opinion in Southern Ireland that the Nationalists, as a party, are rapidly losing ground, and probably would he wiped out at the next general election. The by-elections in Roscommon, Longford, East Clare, and Kilkenny proved that the Nationalists had lost loueh with the people.

ff the Convention results in a sell lenient ,now parties will spring up during the elections for the first Home Utile Parliament, swamping both Nationalists and Siiin Coiners, On the other hand the failure of the Convention, will almost certainly result in a great accession to the Sinn Fein ranks at the expense of the Nationalists. Meanwhile the Irish Government is laced with the delicate problem of nminta.iuing order, and, as far as possible, without coercion. f

never, so prosperous.

'LONDON November Id

Although vigilant Sinn Feiners declare that Ireland is governed by the sword, there isno doubt the country to-day enjoys a greater measure of freedom than any part of United Kingdom. Food and drink are more plentiful than in Kugland, industries, particularly agriculture were never more prosperous. United Kingdom .increased its acreage under tillage during tile war period,’ by one million, whereof Ireland’s contribution is seven hundred thousand.

By the side of this agricultural prosperity, discontent nourishes fanned hr imports who are doing their best to provoke an outbreak of disorder by defying authority.

The Executive lias been sharply criticised for taking undue risks but euudinns since the rebellion have materially changed.