The Hokitika Guardian THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8th., 1921 SETELEMENT IN SIGHT.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 December 1921, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian THURSDAY, DECEMBER Bth., 1921 SETELEMENT IN SIGHT.

]|.' the irood HOWS concerning tile Irish negotiations is uoulirmed, it will hi> Iglad tidings indued. It will be not only a ureal victory to the mode- ( riitw on both sides of the controversy, but even in a greater decree, a reliel to the whole iMiipirc. The condition of Ireland during the last lew years has been « real menace hi the very existence of the community of nations, that has owned allegiance to the 'British Constitution. The complete severance of Ireland from the rest of the Km pi re which no longer ago than last week seemed the only solution of the di/lictityy likely to satisfy the mass of the Irish people remaining at home, might have landed the community of nations anywhere. Irishmen in the Dominion assured of the full measure of political and persona] liberty they enjoy under the British constitution, have found it difficult to follow with understanding the eourso of events in the “Old Land.” There have been mistakes on both sides. The rabid nosurrender Unionists in the House of Commons, the custodians of the tra-1

ditions of a bye-gone age have done as much to delay the settlement as have the hot-headed irresponsibles on tlie djfther side of Saint George’s channel. Ulster has been scarcely less blameless than the Southern provinces have been in the promotfbn of ill-will. But though it may be too early yet to say

the whole trouble is liver, there, is good K n Hinds for Imping; the negotiations are approaching a satisfactory issue. The blessings of such an outcome "ill he inestimable. For more than a eoni t-iiry, a large section of the Irish people have been nursing, actively or passively, a sense of grievance. It lias been handed down from generation to gonoj' ration till it has become an article of | profound faith with half a. nation.

That it lias bad some foundation in fad we may admit, without condoning fur a moment any of the unhappy methods by which it has been expressed. But with the concession of self-govern-ment and to make tlm greatest of all the forces now shaping tlic destiny of the world.