THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 December 1921, Page 2

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

TIIE SET rLEM ENT. AUSTBALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION LABOR'S HOPES. LONDON, Dec; 7. i Tlu> General Council uf Trade 1 nioii i Congress alid Labor Party have issued I manifesto expressing the hope tivat I [iio spirit a herein the Irish negotiaj (ions have been conducted will he maintained. and urging Government to croi. n the auspicious achivcinent by a general anncsty and the lelcase ot political prisoners, and hoping the Northern Parliament will wholehearted- ! ly adopt the agreement.

KXTH KM IST OPPOSITION

LONDON, Dec. 8 The Australian Press Association states: “We understand that there is extremist opposition, hut Air de \ alera’s popular personality will not be sufficient to retard the progress of P °U is now stated that the worst that can Imppen is t-lie submission of the British terms to an Irish National plebiscite. It is stated that the terrible incidents during the last year or IS months have horrified the Irish, who, tor long, have ardently desired peace. • T’ erefove istlvs the Association), we can confidently look to the Irish people themselves to support Michael Collins and his colleagues. They are now revered as greatly as Eamon de \ alcra is himself. Moreover, the Irish have expect'-d Sir .lames Craig and the Ulsterites to adopt an attitude of increasing hostility to the peace terms. Now, however, Sir James Craig has made n ' statesmanlike suspension of judgment, li.Ul helms sent a message of goodwill which has made a deep impression on the Irish Nationalists.

DF- VAIJ.CIIA STILL DOUMTFUI LONDON, Deo. '•

The London “Daily News” Dublin special correspondent telegraphs as iol low s: "Opposition to the Irish Trea > is possible Within the Sinn Fein circles There is a fear expressed that some of the more extreme Irish Republicans may cause trouble*; Some significance is also attached < the words of Mr de Valera (says the correspondent) in issuing the or dm fui recalHng the Irish delegates. The older is that they ore to “report immediately, so that a full Cabinet decision may he taken.” , ~ The ecu respondent says also at ■ de V a leva’s personal attitude has so tar not been disclosed. During the preceding ,hc settlement. M.r do \ a era made several “die-lmrd” speeches which now leave him in an awkward posLiou. This, however, is said to he !.vphdoaMc by the fact that Mr dc *yhad lost ho|«' of a scltlcm-ut. alid he therefore desired to brace his country men to meet the shock ot t-nc.u-.l hostilities.

GRFFITHS’S OVERTURES. _ LONDON, December >. Mr Llovd George lias interviewed 1 ord Middleton and other Southern Unionists. Mr Arthur Griffith tins evening sent a letter to Mr Llovd George stating : ..•‘I am meeting the Southern Unionists. 1 agree that a scheme should be devised to give them a full share o representation in the first chamber of the Uritish Parliament, and we will also consult them regarding the constitution of the Upper Chamber and « will undertake that their interests will be dulv represented. I take this opportunity of saying that we desire the co-operation of the Unionists, in common with all other sections of the Irish nation, in raising the structure and in shaping the destiny of the Irish Free Stale. We look for their assistance in the same spirit of understanding and goodwill which we will show towards their traditions and their interests. * CO-OPRRATION FOR THE FUTURE. LONDON, December 7. Mr Michael Collins, in the course of an* interview, said : “The creation of an Irish Free State has laid a toundation upon which may be built a new world order. We can begin by bringing liritain, the British Colonies, and Ireland into an association ot Free •States. The British Colonies, as •,-rown-ups,’ are now restive under any appearance of parental restraint though thev are willing to fco-operate with their parent on an equal footing. Irehud as a separate nation, naturally is more restive under any control of a neighbouring nation, but Ireland •=> oquallv willing with the colonies to cooperate in free association on all matters of common concern. The problem can only be solved by recognising tliat there is no limitation to the complete independence of the several countries concerned.”

MONEY MAKING SCHEMES. LONDON, December 8. It is stated that profiteers are .already discussing the exploitation of Ireland’s domestic freedom, they hoping that the new Irish Government, for the sake of much needed revonue may legalise or at least officially tolerate some schemes which are illegal in British territory. Racing men in England are discussing seriously an attempt to organise a Bari-Mutual lottery bonds scheme in Ireland, also ready money betting and sweepstakes and licensed pool rooms, as well as a grand casino at Killariiey. IMKEU I'I.TY NOT OYER. LONDON, Dec. 8. Rt Hon H. H. Asquith, speaking on Ireland, at Paisley, said: "It was a little less than two years ago that 1

proposed the policy ot Dominion Self J Government as the only effective me- ( tiled of dealing with the Irish prob- . lorn.” ’ lie had retailed the same policy at ( Ayr a year later. ’ 1 The difficulty, said Mr Asquith, was not over. Many hazards had yet to he faced before the task was finally achieved. The new agreement, lie added, was a two-sided affair, involving complete international autonomy for Ireland, and conferring on Irishmen common citizenship throughout the Empire, with all . the rights, the privileges, the duties, and the responsibilities of that com- j moil citizenship.

NOTE OF THANKSGIVING. LONDON, Dec. 8. The Archbishop of Canterbury in a message to the Anglican Church, said: ‘•For months past the Church has steadily invoked for our counsellors, perseverance, wisdom and courage in connection with Ireland. To-day, we con add thanksgivng to our prayers. This note should ring out publicly and privately though the end be not pet, it has pleased God, thus far, to guide our feet into the way of peace. MORE SHOOTINGS. LONDON, Dec 8. More shootings occurred at Belfast ♦ last night. They included an attack on a lorry laden with police. No casualties are reported. One man armed with a revolver was arresttd. ,

CRAIG’S HOPEFUL PRESENTMENT.

LONDON, Dec 8. Sir James Craig has sent a message to a meeting in County Down (Ulster) stating:—“lt now appears to me that pence is possibly within sight, if all work together together to that end, with patience and goodwill, hut only the helping hand of time could obli* ternte the memory of tile sore affillction through which we have passed.” BONAR LAW’S ATTITUDE. LONDON, Dec 3. It is believed that Mr Bonar Law will support the British Government when the terms of the Irish settlement are submitted to the British Parliament. Parliament will probably dissolve immediately that an Irish Bill is passed. GREAT LONDON FAREWELL. LONDON, Dec 7. The Irish delegates, on leaving Eils r ton station in London for Dublin, htld an enthusnstio send off from a cheering crowd. Only the police help enabled the delegates to fight their way to their carriage. t Their train left amidst the singing of Irish patriotic songs. LONDON, Deo. 7. The release has been ordered of alt the Irishmen imprisoned in connection witii the political struggles.

IRISH TO LEAVE COMMONS. LONDON, Dec 8. The Irish settlement will involve the withdrawal o-' 80 Southern Irish memfroih the British House of Commons. There consequently wilt be important constitutional changes. IRISH GOVERNOR-GENERAL. LONDON, Dec 8. The Duke of York’s name is being mentioned in connection with the li'sh Governor-Genet alsliip.