OPENING OF ULSTER PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 2 August 1921, Page 1

OPENING OF ULSTER PARLIAMENT

HISTORIC CEREMONY

LONDON, June 9

Belfast was very much en fete a few days ago, on the occasion of the first meeting of the Northern Parliament, which was formally opened in the City Hall by the Viceroy, Lord Fitzalan, but a State opening by the King will shortly take place, and to this ceremony the Dominion Premiers have been invited. The twelve Sinn Fein and Nationalist members did not put in an appearance, but the forty L nionist members were all present to take thenpart in a scene that will for all time have its own page in the history of Ireland.

Members sat on each side ot the House, with the Clerk’s table in the centre, and, surmounting all, the massive mayoral chair, to ho converted ior the time into the Speaker’s chair. Fheio was a happy hlcnd ot the ancient with the modern. In front ot the Speakei s seat the mace was not yet on view, Parliamentary procedure being followed as far as possible, but all the other paraphernalia of the House of ( ominous were visible. The table at which the members took the oath was a relic of ibe old Irish Parliament, and an exquisite piece of furniture. The inscription indicates that it was made to the ,„dor of the Right lion. .John Foster, lust Speaker of the Irish House, m

17!)!). Mr Speaker Foster was an ancestor of the Massercenc family, whose present head was an interested spectator of the proceedings. This table is composed ot every known Irish wood. The base consists of a model Irish harp, worked out in detail.

'The Sergeant-at-Arms advanced into the Chamber with the mace and, bowing, deposited it on the table. The laud Primate, attired in his robes, offered prayers, the members following the House of Commons practice of standing hack-to-hack. In loud tones, Mr Arthur Da sent read the proclamation convening the House, and the Viceroy called on the members to choose live Speaker. Mr Hugh O’Neil was unanimously chosen, and, taking tlx chair, he was heartily congratulated by Sir .lames Craig 'the Prime Minister), who promised him the whole-hearted support of the members. Immediately after the ceremony, the Prime Minister entertained AOO leading Ulstermen and ladies to luncheon in the I,niHi netting hall. It was here that ,|,e announcement of the coming Uoya visit was made, and it was received with a great, outburst of enthusiasm, the company rising and cheering for a couple of minutes. The King s health wan drunk with great fervour, and the company sang the National Anthem. Viscount Fit-/.a lan’s speech created a u oocl impression, lie humorously re-

urretl to the fact that they were not nil of the same religion. "I glory in mine,” he said, “I daresay you glory in yours. (Cheers). If 1 were to change my religion I believe everyone in this room would flonk upon nu' as a moM appalling bounder: if you were to change, yours I would nut think anything the worse ol you. (Laughter'). Turning to other topics, Viscount Fitzalun warmly defended the Black nml Tans. While it was unjust that thev should he blamed for the crimes j, few, he sternly denounced murder gangs, and said that Ireland could not be prosperous until the sm ot murder was eradicated. He spoke optimistically of the future of the Northern Parliament, saying:—"l don’t pretend fur one moment that the Act which is the foundation of your Parliament in Northern Ireland is a perfect Act; in fact. I believe it wants amending alruady. And l shall not he at all surprised if it is amended in the not very far distant future. 1 know von did „ot want it. and that you only accepted it on the advice of your great loader. | nrd Carson and your present Prime Minister, and, if it is not impertinent for me to sav so, 1 think you did well. You wanted no change, but so long as vour own particular interests were safeguarded you were willing to lend « hand for the future welfare of country as a whole. 1 believe you have done it. At any rate, this Act of 1 urliament, which establishes a Parliament j, ; .ro in the North of Ireland, and gives power to establish another Parlmme.it in Southern Ireland, does this: It gives to Irishmen as a whole the right and. i,- thev choose to exercise it. the power to manage t-llfir own affairs.” (Cheers).