THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 November 1921, Page 2

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

VCSTRAI.IAN AND ,V.Z. CAIU.E ASSOCIATION. IRISH CRISIS. LONDON, November 27. In consequence of a decision taken by the British military authorities in Limerick to quarter their troops in the Rathkeale Workhouse in County Limerick, which has been occupied hitherto by the Irish Republican Army the Sinn Feiners protested against this breach of the truce. They consequently burned down the building and then withdrew. • IRELAND’S I’OPUIATION. LONDON, November 28. Ireland’s population in 1921 tetals •I. 18.5.000. As these figures include the British Army and naval forces in Ireland. they represent a continuance of the decline in the population of Ireland (which has f>een going on, sjnee the middle of last century, when it was over eight millions). The birth-rate in Ireland has risen and the death-rate has declined. Thus the birth-rate for the past year has been 22.2 per 1000 of the population, compared with 20 per 1000 in the preceding year. The death rate for 1921 is only 14.8 per 1000. This is the lowest ever recorded in Ireland. LONDON, November 29.

Tho Australian Press Association reports: We understand while Sir Jas. Craig is obdurate in his refusal to meet Sinn Fein’s delegates at a conference now, he is a party to an arrangement under which the machinery of the Irish Conference will be kept alive and the truce will remain unbroken. LONDON, November 29. The “Daily Mirror” states: Preparations are being made for the public ntion in London of a penny morning and evening paper, devoted to Ulster interests. . A quarter of a milion of capital has already been raised for it. LONDON, November 28. Tyrone County Council, in Ulster, have decided to ignore the British and Ulster Local Government Boards. LONDON, November 29.

Rt, Hon. Mr Short! (Home Minister) in a speech at Berwick-on-Tweed, said tkit both the south and the north of Ireland lacked confidence in Britain, and in each other. He said he was more sanguine than others were that the Government might be able to produce a set of arrangements which would settle the quarrel between Britain and Ireland.

SIR .1. CRAIG’S VIEWS. STATEMENT IN ULSTER PARLIAMENT. (Received This Day at 8 30 a.m.) LONDON, Nov 29. Sir James (.'rang informed the Ulster Parliament that by Tuesday next, negotiations will have broken down, or the Prime Minister will send me new proposals. Meauwhile the rights or Ulster will in no way he sacrificed or compromised. Sir J. Craig said lie told lion Lloyd George on the first day of ttieir meeting, that the Government proposals were utterly impossible. Also that not merely Ulster hut Britain and tho Empire .were affected. If the people of Ulster entertained proposals they must get someone else to lead them.

Replying to questions in Ulster Parliament Sir J. Craig said Cabinet, owing to the Sin,, Fein outrages, had given authority for the enrolment of 5,700 special constables. No matter what it. cost, the Government were determined to protect life and property.