THE SETTLEMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 December 1921, Page 1

THE SETTLEMENT.

TERMS OF AGREEMENT. VI'STE A MAN AND N.Z. CAHI.K ASSOCIATION. LONDON, December 0- * Tin 1 Irish Agreement is entitled, “.V Trent,v between (irc.it Britain ami Ireland, signed on Deeemher <i. 1921.” Us provisions are roughly as follows : Article 1. Ireland shall hawo same constitutional status in the ( entity of Nations known ns the British Umpire as Canada. Australia, New /.calami and South Africa with a Parliament, having power to make laws for the peace, order and good government „f Ireland and an Executive responsible to that Parliament: and Ireland shall he stvied “The Irish Free State.”

Article 2. Subject to provision hereinafter stated, the positon of the Irish P'i'ee state in relation to the Impel i. Parliament shall be tbat of Canada. Article :l. A representative of the Crown in Ireland shall be appointed in like manner to the (Inventor-General

of Canada. Article I. This gives the oath of allegiance, as already cabled. Article ff. The Irish Free State slid 11 assume n liability tlor public debt to the I'nited Kingdom to the presenf date, and for the payment of war pensions in such proportion as may lie fair and equitable, the amount being determined (in default of an agreement! by arbitration, conducted bv independent citizens of the Empire.

Article fi. Fntil an arrangemnt is made between tlio British and the Irish Governments. whereby the I 1 roc State of Ireland undertakes its own coastal defence, the sea defence of Britain and of Ireland shall be undertaken by ITts Majesty's Imperial Forces. This shall not prevent Ireland from maintaining the vessels that may be necessary for the protection of her revenue and her fisheries. This Article is to be reviewed five years hence, with a view to Ireland umleitaking a share in her own coastal defence.

Article 7. The Irish Government if, all afford His Majesty’s Imperial forces in time of peace, harbour and other facilities and in time <4 war or of »trained relations with foieign rowers, shall afford such harbour and «dher facilities as Britain may require for tin* purposes of dotenpo.

Article 8. AVitli n viow to secunn* the observance of the principle of an International limitation of armaments, if the Irish Government establishes a military defence force the establishments thereof shall not exceed such proposition as Ireland bears to (he population of Britain. Article 0 The ports of Britain and „f the Irish Free State shall lie freely open to the ships of each other’s country on the payment of the customary. port and other dues. Article in -The Irish Government agrees to pay fair compensation anil not less favourable than is provided in the Home Bole Act of 1920. to those Judges, officials, police and other public servants who are discharged or who are retiring in consequence of the change of Government. This agreement does not apply to members of the Auxiliary Police Force, or to the persons who have been recruited in Britain for the Trisli Constabulary during the last years. The British Government assumes the responsibility for such compensation. Article 11.- Fntil the expiration of one month from the passing of an Act of Parliament ratifying this Treaty, tile powers of the Trisli Free State, shall not be exercisable in respects to Northern Ireland and the provisions of (be 1920 “Home Pule Act” relating to Northern Ireland shall remain in full force.

No election shall tie bold for the return of members to serve in the Parliament of Hie fl'ish Free. State for constituencies in Northern Ireland (unless both the Houses of Northern Ireland shall [lass a resolution ill favour uf holding sueli election! before the end of the said month. Article 12- Tf. before Hie expiration of the said month, both Houses of the Northern Parliament present, an address to His Majesty asking that the powers of Parliament and Government of the Trisli Free State shall no longer extent to Northern Ireland then the provision of the Act of 1920. including those relating to a Gouneil ol Ireland shall so far as they relate to Northern Ireland, continue in full force. It is provided that if sueli an address is presented a Commission of !1 people tone appointed by the Irish Free State! another by Northern Ireland, and the third (as the chairman) to he appointed by the Britisb Government shall determine in accordance with the wishes „f North Ireland, so far as they may l,e compatible with the economic and geographical conditions, the boundaries between Northern Ireland and the ic-l of Ireland. Such boundary shall apply for the purposes of the 1920 Act as ivell as for those of this Instrument. Article Iff. —For the purpose of the foregoing Article, Hie powers of the Parliament of Southern Ireland under the Act 1920 .to elect members to the Council of Ireland, shall lie exercised by the Parliament of the Free State. 'Article 11.-•■lf no address is pro--entod to the King by Nortberip Ireland within the month afer,‘mentioned, the Parliament and Government of Northern Ireland shall continue to ! exercise the [rowers conferred by the ' 1020 Act. but the Parliament and Government of the Irish Free Slate shall, in Northern Ireland, have in relation t„ those matters in respect whereof the Parliament of Northern Ireland has not power to make laws, the same powers as it has in the rest of Ireland, including those matters which under tiie 1020 All are left within the iurisdiet inti of the Co,meil of Ireland. A,'lii'li' to. ’t any time hereafter, tin- Government if Northern Ireland ■ml Hu- ''rovisioual Government of S-otheri! Ireland, hereinafter constitut-

ed i,,:iv mne! fm. 1 lie , in-pose of* discussion orm-isietis. Including the followiim: (a! Safeguards regarding patronage in Northern Ireland; (b! Snfo-

guards regarding the revenue of Northern Ireland; (e) Saleguaids regarding the import and export duties a-lfecliug the trad,, and industry of Northern Irelaud; (d) Safeguards for the minorities in Northern Ireland; (of The settlement of financial relations between Northern Ireland and the Free State; (f) The establishment of powers of local militia in Northern Ireland and the relation of I lie detenre forces of the Free Stale and those of Northern Ireland respectively. Article Iff continues: 11. ml any such meeting, provisions arc agreed on. they shall have effect as TV they were includi d among the provisions -et mil in Article M. Article |(i. Bill’s stales that neither the Parliament of the Irish Frc,. Stale, nor that of Northern Ireland, shall make any law directly or indirect It endowing any religion or any prohibition restricting the -free exercise thereof, or shall give any preference or impose anv disability on account of religious status, nr affect prejudicially the right of any eliild to attend any school receiving politic money, without attending religions instruction at such school.

The Parliaments shall not. make any (lis.-riinii,;,* ion resporting status and as between schools tinder the management of dilforenf religious denominations. or divert from any religious denoini lint hm or educational institution anv of its property, except 1 lor public utility pm [loses, and alter the payment of compensation. Article 17. This is a provisional arrangement tor the administration of Southern Ireland during the interval between the present time and the coilst it lit ion of the Parliament and Government of the Free Stale. Steps shall be taken forthwith to summon a meeting ol the Members of Parliament who have been elected for the constituencies of Southern Ireland since the 1920 Act. and for their constituting a Provisional (invcrntiicnt. for Southern Ireland. The British Government shall take sm h stops i- lire necesary to transfer to such Provisional Government the powers and the machinery that nr,, requisite f,.: il: ; |i-charge of its duties, provided that every member of the Provisional Government shall signify, in writing. hi-7 ■ r her aeecqitam e of this instrument. This arrangement shall not continue in force longer than one vu.tr.

Ariel,. |S.- This instrument shall lie submitted forthwith for approval to Hu British Parliament and (by the Iri -1 • ienaloi ie:,i to a meeting of the members, who have been elected to sit in Die 1 Inn--' oi Commons oi soul hern Ireland, hr its aiproval to be ratified by the necessary legislation. The Treaty is signe.f by the follow-

ing: Ml! 1.1.0 VD GEORGE irolf I) BIRKENHEAD MB fit ntcnri I. MB WORTHINGTON MVANS SIB II CBKKNWOOD Silt G. 11 MW A ITT Ml! ART!II I! GBIFFTIIS. MB AII (T lAM |. COI.I,INS Ml! BARTON Ml! IM FFV.

BRHTSiI PRESS COMMENT. ID.OVD GEORGE'S Dt'TV. LONDON. Dec 7. The Irish settlement has been received with good 111 css comments throughout tlie (Tiiicd Kingdom. The “Morning Post" (ITiionistl says: “A .surrender is always a surrender, and a betrayal is a betrayal. A condonation of crime is a participation in the sin of lbe criminal. Yesterday’s events is but the culmination of a steady policy- of yielding to threats and; of intriguing the rebels Never before in modern times lias a British Government quailed before an armed rebellion or .;Lsorgauised assassination, and acknowledged itself impotent to enfort e English law ami English justice. „i„| |,as totally forsaken the King’s loyal subjects. J( appears that the one benefit the new world is promised by the Prime Minister, is a disappearance ol the Ten Commandments."

I'he “Belfast Telegraph" however, says: “There can be no compromise.’’ SIGNING THE TREATY. LONDON. Dee. 7. "This lias been the happiest day of mv life. An age-long problem k solveds;,,ll Lloyd George, when the Anglo liish treaty had been signed. GRIEEITHS SAYS- WE’RE SATIS! I ED"! A few minute- bet,ii- llii-, Mi Lloyd George bail just given ail undol'sl.mding regarding sum,, small adjust incut of the lei ms. and then Mr A, l Ini i Hi i Hit !i- said : '-M I'D, Dial, Mr Lloyd Ceorge. we are sali-tied lie will sign!’’ The document was then placed before the Picmii'i, iilio added IDs signature. Mi Lloyd George llun turned will, a smile tu Miebael Collins and Arthur Grill'll lis. When all I lie signatures had been added, the Piemiei Miclelied out bis 1 1: i n,l and el a.sped iliose ol Mr Giillilhs ami Mr Collins saiyng: "This the dawn of a new era I'm Ireland and Britain.” As Big Ib'ii i-liiini'tl 2..'111, the 1 1 is.hlueu left to telegiapb the news to Mr lie Valera in Ireland. Al the same time Mi 1.10.vd George I'oiiiiuuniealed with the King al Sandringham. .And mi ii was Dial Hie Irish Settlement came into being,;.

UNIONIST LEADERS. LONDON, Dee. 7. Ml A. Chamberlain, at Bii iniiigbani, said: The Irish agreement has secured all tlm essential combinations lot national security, eiiiog to Ireland equality ol status with the other nations of nliieli the Empire is composed. lie appealed lo t Istei to consider carefully tin* alternative in its acceptance ol Hie setllement. Lord Birkenhead, at the same meeling, said Hint he had risked everything on his belief in Hie good laitli ol Hie I risk delegates. 11 tv added : D am as certain as my eoliagues win, have met those men that they go back to Ireland taking their lives in their bands, to tight their bailie as confidently as I and my colleagues are going to battle on this side.”

EFTFI! E BOSS I It! I.ITIES. LONDON, Dee. 7

The laird t lia neellor (I.orit Birkenhead' in a spot'll, said that if Ulster decided to join in the scheme, it certainly would necessitate such a rectification of the frontiers as would prevent friction. The fidelity ol the Irish Free Slate, |„. -.aid. would be deck,lied in no cquivoi.il way. Tile terms fully satisfied Brills!, Admiralty. ii, added 1 1 fat if the De.il Fiieanu s i .11 uI d rejeel the sc hem. . then Britain Would bale all opportuniiy ol diuoverme 1, la tlsei the omit: \ agree.- W ilb the t iovernmeni "i w ith t . de - liai'ds.” Tiie “Freeman's .Journal (Dublin); declare- ; •■tielmiU has llu ' strongest proofs of her wiil to peace, and she now looks to Mr l.lnvd Geoige and to. his iol leagues to do their part in ensuring that the opposition ol a fanatical minority shall not longer prevent |.eaie with honour. The "l.olldon Ihi.ly Nells states. "Tlie British 1 bueriiiin'iit may claim the react due to a broad and generous concession and to patience and adroitness which alone could have surmounted tiie enormous difficulties in the way of its execution." The l.olldon Labour "Daily lleiald i-uniment.s as follows: 'Approval or disapproval of the details is now irrelevant What matters is the great hope for a future settlement, which the Treaty gives. Ii is admittedly a compromise.’ Everything will depend on whether it is curried out in the right spirit. , The “Manchester Guardian ’ consider- that the agreement is a. splendid achievement, rellecting the utmost credit mi those concerned in the itegotmtionos. such as only a coalition of great governing parties muld have earned through. ~ The “Westminster Gazette <oilsiciers that the outstanding virtue of the Treaty terms is that they are independen (if Misters consent. I'lster may in. or may stay out, as she ~|, ~M . S . Her claim to receive the same terms as offered Sinn Fein could not bo admitted, which, of course is the crucial decision which, has enabled Sinn Fein to accept the British oiler." q'li,. Liverpool “Post” thinks that no uxi opt ion lan be taken on any ground ~f Impel ia! intcresi . reel it tide, or dignit v. It IS a settlement, it says, wine, the Irish people also may accept with Die eoii-a louslii'ss that-, though It dill", not tor the moment bring the unity t." Ireland, which is their ideal, it includes everything whereto the most fervent ,d„w of nationalism could aspire. "'lll,. “Glasgow Herald" comments: “December blh. 1921. should take a

~,1,1,1,' place among tlm ai*ii versary dates, if i. marks, us we believe it will mark, tin- definite determination ol Ondiscords and eonlliets tbat make up the liistorv of tiie Britisb and I risli negotiations. We can sei no limits to the hone-fi.-ient horizons nliieli will presently ellgnitv ;i unit o<l yooplo." " %he Daily Chronicle” says: With 1 1 1 c* urcs to tin* settlement, h.nj;land and Indand soft each other with their own eves, free to face, equal partners in liberty." 'l'll,- “Dailv Telegraph" remarks: “Because wo’ have lived through years uherein disaster and triumphs of stunning magnitude have followed one another in a way wearying to the imagination (let Us not misapprehend the, character ol this event. It is the great esl that ins happened itv the internal affairs of Britain for generations; for vo have to measure it by the duration of the quarrel which it ends. Como what will now - on: portion of responstl.ilitv for tlial incessant disastrous complication is liquidate,! at last. Me hail tin} signature of the agreement as a supreme event. The “Daily Express" says: It 1 ■ impossible to exaggerate the icliel throughout the count ry at the anniiuileeineiit of tile settlement. So perish the malignant troubles which, for many centuries, have poisoned our domestic polities. The terms ate generous beyond cavil.”

BRITISH PARLIAMENT SESSION. LONDON, Dee 7. All- l.lpyd George lias abandoned his Washington \ tsit owing to the re-as-sembly of the British Parliament. Late on Tuesday evening it was derided Hun the House ol Commons and Lords should he summoned for December I lih in consider the agieemcnt. B\ then the treaty should hi- ratified lie the I tail Eireann. The King will iq mi the session ill full slate .anil oiler a day or two debate. Parliament will probably adjourn until .Ifuio-ary Iff By then a Ratifying Bill will have been drafted. IRISH .11' B] RATION. DELEGATES EXTOLLED. LONDON. December 7. The publication of the terms of the Irish Treaty in Dublin evening papers lias aroused jubilation, It is stated to be generally agreed that the Constitution of the Irish .Eire State, and the terms of the oath to the Crown do not leave any room for criticism by* tiie most advanced Sinn Keiiiors.

The settlement, lias aroused the most fervent enthusiasm in Dublin City. There even the most extreme Irish Nationalists extol the Sinn Eein Delegates work in l.ondon. They say that they “are honestly glad that peace with freedom lias been won at last. Many services ot thanksgiving bail' been arranged. Messages indicating the most supreme satisfaction are now reaching the Sinn Fein headquarters trom all cornel' of Ireland, welcoming the end of the bloody fend. Cork City, Limerick City and the towns north of llie Boyne Rive, are all joining general jubilation. On the contrary, Bellas! is still dour ami suspicious, and tearful. The Unionists there openly staling that Siifti Fein is in an even stronger position now to wage a war on Ulster economically by a boycott or by othor means. The Unionists declare they don’t believe in the reality of Sinn Fein concessions. There is said to lie a general feeling of depression or uneasinss intensified by Lord Birkenhead’s latest speech,

GREAT EFFECT IN AMERICA

LONDON, December 7

“Westminster Gazette’s special corro spondent at Washington states: “There is immense relief here at the news that an Irish agreement has beoaa reached. It is impossible to exaggerate how milch the belief that the British Government lias been seeking an Irish settlement has contributed to the smooth working of the conference, or how greatly a failure at tiie eleventh hour might have embarrassed the Administration in its efforts to get the Conference results ratified by the American people.” A FRENCH VIEW. PARIS. December 7. The ''.lournal do lVbaii-s” says: The liisfi settlement sii'.iigtliens Mr Lloyd George's authority.at Washington. He will present himself there under exceptionally favourable conditions, and he will find ii is task there facilitated by iii'ii sympathies. ANGLO-FRENCH HARMONY. PARIS. December 7. The Government has replied to the last British note regarding Angora in the most friendly terms. PRINCESS MARY GOING TO IRELAND. LONDON, December 7. Princess Mary "ill probably visit Lacello, an Irish seat, at Portumnn, in Galway, which, though recently burned is being restored.

ULSTER PRESS VIEWS, iKi . ivid This Day at B.HO a.m.) LONDON. Dee. Ik Belfast newspapers seveiely criticise ;!.o terms. The “Northern Whig' 1 says tlieie is little cause for loyal Britishers lo I eject. Ulster is to pay the [nice for the privilege of remaining in the Kingdom while Sinn Fein escapes. The Belfast “Newsletter” strongly oppose- the houndary concession. The Belfast “Telegraph” declares the oath excludes Sinii Fein from allegiance to the King. FRENCH TRIBUTES Re -oiicd This l)av at 8.1)0 a.in.! PARIS, Dee. (1. The newspaper.' generally pay a tribute to King Geoige for bis efforts to secure an Irish' peace, and also eulogise Hon Lloyd George as one ol the groatr.t ic.-gotiators of the day.