THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 October 1921, Page 3

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

AUSfIiAI.IAN A Nil N.Z: UAMjE ASSOCIATION. LLOYD GEORGE’S STATEMENT. LONDON,, Oct 27 lii Mic House of Commons, Mr Lloyd George, replying to questions, made jt clear that if a settlement was reached in regard to the Irish Conference, the terms would he submitted for the British Parliament’s sanction. Everv'provision, he said, would have to he ratified hy Parliament, and incorporated in nil Act of Parliament. The parties thereto would be the representatives of the Irish people (duly elected under an Act of Parliament) ami the British Government. SINN EEIN CONGRESS. LONDON, Oct. 2.7 Mr Be Valera presided over the Sinn Fein National Congress at Dublin, which was attended by 2000 delegates. Mr IX- Valera asked the Press to withdraw in order to facilitate a free discussion. lie pointed out that at the present critical juncture the delegates would he hampered if their utterances were open to Press misrepresentations outside. They did not want to interfere with the Peace Coitferonee’s work, lie said that notwithstanding the enemy’s strenuous hunt lor the Kiult Keiners’ money, not a penny ii.-id fallen into their hands. A DEADLOCK. LONDON. Oct. 27. The, Australian Press Association agent understands that the Irish Conference as reached a deadlock. It is i,no, he says, wherefrom there is small hope of an emergence. Mr Lloyd George, says the Association, is determined, in the absence ol a reply to an Irish question regarding Sinn Eein defining their attitude on the question of Irish allegiance to the British throne, to do ‘nothing likely to piocipitate all absolute break. The British Cabinet are lepnricd as somewhat embarrasso-l by the attitude of certain belligerent Unionist M.P’s, but il is understood Mr Lloyd (.coigi is accepting lboil c’-allettge. and will reply to them in th- House of Commons on Monday. 1

PS-XISTON KOli COMMONS. (Received This Day at. R a.m.) LONDON. October 27. The “.Daily Mail” in a leader. states Hon. Lloyd George’s _ dramatic challenge to the Unionists is a definite sign that lie' has irrevocably set his feet on the path of peace consistently with the unity of the Empire. The paper [mints out that the (ominous will have to decide between the wrecking tactics of the 1 nmu.-t junta and atii iesman diin seeking a peaceful settlement. DISARM AM ENT. BRITAIN AND U.S.A. VIEWS OF LEADING THINKERS tnsTR.VI.IAN AM) N.Z. CAlil.E ASSOCIATION. LONDON. October 27.

The English Speaking Union gave a luncheon to Lord Bryce on Ins return from his American visit. Lord Bryce, in a speech, said that the educated native Americans were now most anxious that tin- Irish trouble should be ended, and that by a generous and equitable settlement. They wen- keenly watching the I"e----sent proceedings, and they world be able to judge if the demands were reasonable, and wlini was O' l spirit which tin- negotiators displayed. On these points, the weight of American sympathy would he cast. ' Dealiim with the Washington Conference. " Lord llryce stated that the attitude adopted hy Britain would have a profound effect oil Llic Inture relations of the two countries. American sentiment, as a whole, strongly desired a reduction ot the navy, but even if it were maintain'd at its present strength there would be nothing to disquiet Britain. The Washington Conference lmd proved Wait Am,erica, could not remain detached from th c . League of Nations NEW YORK. October 27. Mr 11. G. Wells, the novelist, who

lias nrrved to write a series of articles on the Aimamenl Conference. said it was one with extraordinary possibilities in regard to settling some of the questions which now perplex the world. On the other hand, it might dwjndle. If it. died, there must be; another Conference, for the of the world must combine for the collective handling of matters whirl) intcircsl all. Unless this were done, the process of disintegration, which began in 1914. would continue, lie believed that if the Conference contimed, it would he hound to develop, into an arrangement for world control. not only of international policy hut of financial and economic questions and also those questions which cannot longer he handled; in any other way than on an international basis