THE IRISH PROBLEM

Hokitika Guardian, 1 November 1921, Page 2

THE IRISH PROBLEM

AUSIrI’AhIAN ANU N’.Zv (‘AIILK ASSOCIATION at THE LAST DITCH; WHO REFUSES TO FORGET i LONDON, Octolwr 31.

The London “Alorning Post" is now the only newspaper to bitterly oppose the British negotiations with Sinn Fein. "The "Post" devoted more than two whole pages on. Monday to a reciting of various outrages daring the past three years. This it id on tii 0 morning ol the Mouse of Commons debate on the Unionist "Die Hards" motion, aitd it is a most significant att, ihpfc to array, for the public’s con sumption, all such lm t. Upon u liich til” opponents of Alr Lloyd George’* policy rely.

This newspaper deals at length with the Dublin rebellion ot 19113, and it also details the attempt to assassinate Yodd French in the Phoenix Park in December of 1919. It bitterly denounces. what it calls a subsequent

silence of the press. Referring to the lrsh delegates to the London conference, it says;—’Men who were doing all these devilish tilings are now the honoured guests of the Coalition Government,

Afterwards, however, the -‘Post” describes Ylr Griffiths (Sinn Fein delegation leader) as a "moderate whose chief weapon is the pen.”

KEEPING THE TRUCE. LONDON, Octobei 29. Sou,, Sinn Kernel's in their attempts to observe! the truce, are using drastic methods. \\ orsliippers at a Catholic Church in- Cork yesterday beheld three men bound to the railing and labelled: “.Robbers! Beware! These have been convicted of several robberies! Signed,—l.ll. Police.”

auxiliaries again used. LONDON, October 30. A correspondent in the Ixmdnii "Morning Post” (ultra l liionist) alleges that the llritisii permanent staff it the Mount .Joy J’risipi .11 Dublin City have just been supplemented by 1 small force of “Auxiliaries.” The officer of th,. Auxiliaries reports the prison is in grave danger (says the correspondent), owjng to there being a relaxation of discipline since the truce. Yistors to the gaol are searched only in a cursors- manner, so that it is easy lo arms.

The prioners in Mountjoy Gaol (says the correspondent) are a formidable lot of men. They are commanded by one of themselves in each ward. They are daily drilled, of trained ill physical services. They show contempt bv refusing to obey regulations.

i i,sti:r volunteers. LONDON. October 31. Ulster volunteers have reappeared in He!fust. They have been marching t-lirough the city, and though unarmed they were accompanied by armoured cars. This is tile first intimation that the Ulsterites have resumed militai'v drilling and training. IRELAND’S FINANCE. LONDON, October 30.

Mr Michael Collins has been interviewed by American journalists. He said that Ireland was more shall i'maueallv solf-fuipporting. and yet wits now contributing annually £21,000,000 to the British Treasury. Ulster was nut. in question, but only a portion of Ulster. Without even that part of Ireland which was unfriendly to common nationality, the rest ot the country was absolutely self-supporting. With a reduction in taxation, under an Irish Government, there would be large amounts of private money available for public purposes, and consequently there would he. less necessity for the state to expend big sums on important works.