PREMIER’S INVITATION

Hokitika Guardian, 30 September 1921, Page 2

PREMIER’S INVITATION

FOR COXFKRFNCE OX OCT. 11th. TO SIXX FICIX LEADER. ivstkai.iax and n.z. caiuk association (Received This lViv at 8 30 a.in.) LONDON". Sept. I’D. Oliioial.—The Premier has invited Sinn Kein delegates to a conference in London on 11th October, to ascertain it.i.v the' association of Ireland with the British Umpire may best»he reconciled with Irish aspirations. TDK FULL REPLY. LONDON. Sept, if) Mon Lloyd, George replying to Do Valera says—“ Government have given the closest, earnest consideration to the correspondence. In spite ot their desire for peace, and in spite ot the more concilatorv tone of yotir last communication, they cannot enter a conference upon the basis of this correspondence. Notwithstanding your personal assurance to the contrary, which they much appreciate, it might be argued in the future that the acceptance of a conference «n this basis "had involved them in a recognition which no British Government can afford. On this, (stint they must guard themselves against any possible doubt. There is no purpose to le served by any further interchange of explanatory or argumentative communications upon the subject. Tile position taken up by Government is fundamental to the existence of the British Umpire, and we cannot alter it. My colleagues and I remain, however, keenly anxious to make, in co-o|»erntiou with your delegates, tinother determined effort to explore every oossibilitv of settlement by personal discussion of the proposals which we have already made pukli* to the whole world, as a proof that our endeavours for a reconciliation and settlement ar l no empty form. We tee! that a conference, not correspondence, is the most practical and most ho,ieful way to an understanding, such as we ardently desire to achieve. Wo therefore send a fresh iuvitst o-t to confer in London on 11th. October when we can meet your delegates as spokesmen for the people whom you represent, with a view to ascertaining* ’ tho association Of Ireland with the community of nations known as the British Empire, may host ho reoonolW Ptl with Trial) wvUoitfll ftspiffrilana.'’