THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 December 1921, Page 3

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

UNITED SERVICE TELEGRAMS IN THE COMMONS. LONDON, Dec. 11 The House <if Commons mis crowded when it re-ostablishcd ufler the King’s speech. When Air Lloyd George entered, he was received with loud cheers from all parts. Air lioare moved the Address-in-Rc-ply. He stated that the House was asked to consider arid to confirm the Irish agreement, and to oiler the Jving " -its humble congratulations on the work of reconciliation to which His .Majesty had so largely contributed. Air Hoare expressed a hope that, with an Irish peace established, the royal influence would he further strengthened by establishing a royal residence in Ireland. It was evident, he said, that Mr de Valera and his “die-hards” did not regard this Treaty as a British surrender. All- Hoare said: “AVe wish to he the j friends, and not the enemies of Ireland. After the generations of attempts to settle the Irish question, it had been left to the King to find a better and surer way to peace than by the sword. We are making peace, hot because we are forced to do so, but because \\c want a permanent peace. Though thankful to be on the light .road tci pence, we realise that tiiis controversy of eight centuries’ duration cannot be ended merely by means of a Tarlinmentarv resolution. The Irish I'roe State lias a difficult tusk ahead to consolidate a new and stable Government after all the centuries of agitation and unrest.” AH Hoare asserted that wreckers in Dublin were busy attacking the peace terms, Let the House of Commons not make any more difficult tile tusk of goodwill. Mr' Haines (ex-Labourite), seconded the Address. He said they had made up their minds that Irishmen and Britain should in future live on the same terms of amity as those that existei between the Dominions and Britain. CRATG’S PROTEST. (Received This Day at 5.30 a.m.) LONDON, Dee. 15. Sir J. Craig, in a letter to Lloyd George, protests against the intention to place Ulster automatically under the Free State. It was a complete reversal of the British Cabinet’s policy expressed in. the King’s speech at Belfast and in correspondence between Tdo\ d Oeoi r->* and De Valera, neither explanation nor | justification for the astounding move ■ being given. The 1920 Act completely was violated and standard of allegiance r-ranted Sinn Fein has made it impossible for Ulster ever to enter the ree State. ; SIR .1. CRAIG’S PROTEST. ; (Received This Day at 9.40 a.m.) : LONDON. Dec. 15 Nil .lames Craig in a letter dated the 14th, expressed grave concern with which the Ulster "Parliament had noticed nil agreement materially involving Ulster’s interests, had been signed by His .Majesty s Goveinmont, without their having been previously consulted, since oil 20th Nov., Hon Lloyd George had promised until the proposals were placed lielore Ulster Cabinet.

lleferring to the proposal to revise •jpMie boundaries, Sir J. Craig says be believes there is no precedent in the history of the British Empire for taking territory from an established Government without its sanction. over, it was a breach of the Government of Ireland Act, 1920, which was only put in operation in .June last. At a meeting on the Bth December, Lloyd George explained it was only intended to make slight readjustment boundaries so as to bring loyalists who were just outside, into Ulster, and conversely to transfer an equivalent number of Sinn Feiners to the Free State. Sir J. Craig notified Chamberlain before leaving London that lie reserved the right of dissention from film appointment of a boundary onunission. saving, “We protest against the intention of your Government to place North Ireland automatically in the Irish Free State. It is opposed to the British Premier’s pledge of 25th Nov., and antagonistic to the general principles of the Empire regarding her peoples liberties. It is a complete reversal of the British Cabinet’s own policy, as declared in the King’s Speech, at the opening of the Northern Parliament, and in the Premier’s published correspondence with Do Valera, that the policy was that Ulster should remain out, until she chose of her own free will to enter an All Ireland Parliament. Neither explanation nor justification for this astounding change had been attempted.” Sir J. Craig resents the reference to the future of Belfast Lough and asks, “What right has Sinn Fein to Ik’ a party to an agreement concerning the defence of Belfast Lough, which is touched by only the loyal counties of Antrim and Down. LONDON, Dec. 15 Sir J. Craig added—The principles of the 1920 Act were completely violated, the Irish Free State being relieved of manv of her responsibilities towards the Empire. Sinn Fein receives a financial advantage which will relieve her considerably from the burden borne by Ulster and other parts of the Kingdom. Ulster can obtain such concessions only by first becoming subordinate to Sum Fein. Sir J. Craig sees in the abandonment of the original condition that there should not he protective duties, the he-

ginning of friction and a tariff wnr, involving Ulster in particular he Sinn Fein demanded, and the Hi ltish Government conceded a different oath and standard of loyalty from the rest of the Empire, making it impossible Ur Ulster ever to enter the 1' roe State. concluded that in spite of the inducements held out to Ulster, we are convinced it is not in the host interests of Britain or the Empire that 1 Ister should become subordinate to Sinn Fein We are glad to think our de_j* rision will obviate the necessity of ' mutilating the Union OFF TO LONDON. ■Received This Day at 1.0.15 a.m.) ' LONDON, Dec. 10. Sir James Craig has left Belfast for London. It is officially stated that Ins sudden departure is due to a grave situation arising from Hon Lloyd George’s reference in the Commons to if y tonne and prtniuiagli,

I BOX AH. LAW’S VIEWS. I (Received This Day at 10.15 a.m.) I LONDON, Dec. 15 j In the Commons, Hon Bonar Law said he favoured the Irish Treaty. He did not consider it was surrendered to a campaign of crime. He thought I Ulster fears were unjustified. j ROYAL KISH CONSTABULARY. 'Received This Day at 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, December 15. The Royal Irish Constabulary havo circularised members of Parliament emphatically protesting against being handed over to the Irish Free State. They adhere to the demand for disbandment Ireforc a change of Government with adequate compensation for the loss of officio and an Imperial guaranteed pension. IN THE COMMONS. (Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.) LONDON. Dee. 15. | Hon Lloyd George in the Commons, said while the House was entitled to make alterations he wished to make it clear that any alterations by either side, without mutual consent, would destroy the pact and negotiations would have to lie reopened.