CHURCHILL'S SPEECH

Hokitika Guardian, 26 September 1921, Page 2

CHURCHILL'S SPEECH

t VSTU\ 1.1 AN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. LONDON, Sept. 24. There was some excitement created it Dundee, in Scotland, when Mr Y\ . Churchill addressed his constituents. Forces of mounted foot police were present, in order to cope with a demon stratum made by the Dundee unemployed, who tried to rush the hall. The police finally charged the crowd and used their truncheons freely on the people. Thereby they restored o rder.

Only ticket-holders were admitted to ibe meeting. Though Mr Chur-hill was loudly cheered, there was seme “booing.” He appealed for “co-operation between the classes in rebuilding the prosperity of the country.” He said that the .Government was profoundly disappointed at Mr de Valera’s rejection of its offer, which ke claimed was “Dominion Home Rule ” “Our offer to Ireland,” h,. said "goes to our utmost limit. If rejected, we have nothing else to offer. Allegiance to the King must he insisted on, whether it is to be to the King of Britain or the King of Ireland.” He claimed the offer was generous, sincere, unanimous. It could he car i-ied into effect immediately. Mr Churchill went on: “I am very much in favour of a conference with’ Ireland, as there is a much better chance of an agreement than in correspondence. No pedantic, or hairsplitting, or quibbling phrases will be allowed to stand in the way of peace, only .a fundamental principle. Although Britain can unquestionably enforce her existing law in Ireland, she is none the less called oil to clear away all possible mismnderstanding: Then, if our offer is rejected, Bnlaim will have the support of the Empireand the opinion of the civilised world. Ulster has made great sacrifices, and is now no longer a stumbling block to tbe rest of Ireland.” Mr Churchill added: “I do not see much real foundation for any optimism which prevails. I am still umcrtain as to where the Trish leaders stand. An independent Irish Republic, so far from leading to peaces is certain to lead to civil war.” Referring to the industrial situation, Mr Churchill said: “It can he attributed to the collapse of the international exchange, and to the Socialist propaganda.” He hoped that out of the disarmament conference, there would develop another conference to establish normal exchange. A Bolshevik agitation bad helped to iL-troy confidence and to create unemployment. A voice: “You are a liar!”

Mr Churchill continued that, as an effect of Bolshevik rule, more people would die in Russia, this winter than during the five years of the war. He concluded by saving that the Government would do all in its power to help to get the wheels of industry going.