UNIONIST CONFERENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 November 1921, Page 2

UNIONIST CONFERENCE.

Received This Day at 9.40 a.m.) LONDON, November 17

Lord Derby in accepting the Presidency of the Unionist Conference at Liverpool, admitted it required at the present time, all the tact and intelligence possible to keep the party together. hut he believed it could lw done, and he hoped to he able to hand over to his successor a more united ■and stronger party, than they had now. A deputation of Southern Irish Unionists submitted a statement of the condition of affairs in Southern Ireland. Lord Farnhnm declared that during the so-called truce they had gone through a reign of tenor. Many loyalists had been foully murdered by tire Empire’s enemies. The people with whom the Government were conferring did not represent the people of Southern Ireland well. The ia ' m °f' Sinn Fein was to establish a workers Republic on Soviet lines, i LONDON, November 17.

Another speaker said Sinn Fein did not hide the fact that they intended to attack Ulster. Theconference proceeded to discuss resolutions dealing with Ireland. Three out of four resolutions constituting a furious attack on the Government were withdrawn, leaving n milder one bv -Mr Gretton (a commoner) for discussion. This condemned crime in Ireland and urged that no settlement was acceptable that does not safeguard Ulster’s position, and protests loyalists elsewhere. Mr Gretton denied, if the resolution were carried, that it woukl split the party. They should negotiate .with the party of breakdown conservatives to leave the coalition and establish a Government. (Mingled cheers, dissent and uproar.)