IN IRELAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 December 1920, Page 2

IN IRELAND.

[BY TELEGRAPH—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION] AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. COUNTESS MARKIEVIEZ GAOLED. LONDON, December 28. The Countess Mnrki.ovicz, charged on the fourth of December with diilling bey scouts, has l>een sentenced to two years hard labour WEEK-END DEATH ROLL. LONDON, December 28. fourteen persons were killed in Ireland at Christmas week end LABOUR COMMISSION REPORT. - (Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.y LONDON, Dec 29. Tlie Labour Commission which investigated the reprisals in Ireland, reports that “Things are being done in the name of Brjtain which must make her name stink in tho nostrils of the .whole world. The atmosphere of terrorism which has bee ncrented and the provocative behaviour of the Crown’s armed servants quite apart from speeific reprisals, are in themselves sufficient to arouse in our hearts feelings of deepest horror and shame.” Tho report gives details of many burnings of farm-houses, private houses, shops and public buildings, and declares that the Crown’s forces were guilty of arson, looting, theft and brutality. Only by repudiating the errors of the past can the democracy of Britain recover her honour; only by granting Ireland freedom which is her due can we fulfill thq responsibilties towards our sister nation.

REPORT ON IRELAND. \ (Received This Day at 10.40 a.m.) LONDON Dec. 29.' The Labour Commission’s report is voluminous. It admits it is difficult to obtain evidence in regard to reprisals and terrorism. It was misleading to describe Sinn Fein forces as an army. It was an army only in name. It was formidable because intangible. The report does not believe the Government directly and definitely inspired reprisals and violence, but it liberated forces which it could not dominate, and therefore the responsibility rests with the Government. The National Conference of Labour party at Westminster discussed the other members of the Commission reiterated the chnrgefe and asked the dele-, gntes when they returned to their districts to endeavour to arouse public opiu ion against the Government. The con ference unanimonslp passed a resolution deploring the lamentable conditions in • Ireland, and challenging Government to disprove the statements in tho Commission’s report ,by a judicial enquiry into reprisals.