IN IRELAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 August 1921, Page 3

IN IRELAND.

CABLE NEWS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. DAN, EIRE ANN MEETING AT DUBLIN. .Received This Day at 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 16 The Dail Eireann assempled in the room of the Mansion House, where Mr Parnell made some of bis great orations for Irish freedom. Parnell’s portrait hung above the Speaker’s chair. Nearly two thousand were present in the galleries, including prominent lawyers, clergy, medical men, and business men. When the Clerk called the names of Sir James Craig am! other members of the Ulster Parliament and Devlin, to which of course there was no response, derisive laughter of part of the audience was suppressed by the Speaker. Michael Collins was the first to sign the roll and received an ovation. Five ladies took the oath and one Englishman, Erskine Childers. At the conclusion of De Valera's speech, the Dail Eireann adjourned till to-morrow. DE VALERA’S STATEMENT' Received This Day at 9.40 a.m.) LONDON, August 16. As the members of the Dail Kircann entered the Chamber, an oath pledging allegiance to the Free Irish State was administred. John McNeil was the admSnistereir. De Valera in a lengthy speech, reiterated Ireland's claim to separation from Britain. He said the only Government which the people recognised was the Dail Eireann ministry. Ho would report on the negotiations witlt Government, and proposed the reply be discussed in a private session. He understood It was the intention of the British Government to make that reply an issue between peace and war. Hence the first discussion • would be held privately. and when ready for despatch there would be another public session. De Valera continuing, said lie did not say the people had been given a plebiscite for a form ot Republican Government so much as for Irish freedom and Independence. Hende the Irish Republic, ;is such was sanctioned by the will of the people aiid their representatives solemnly declared the nation independence for which they Would give their lives if necessary. To make the peoples will effective only on the basis of recognition of a Republic call we deal with any foreign power. We stand bv that principle and mean to die for it. if necessary. The British proposals were not just and because of that he had sent his reply.