THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 December 1921, Page 3

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CARLE ASSOCIATION. ULSTER PEER’S VIEWS. LONDON, Dec. 15 In the House of Lords, Lord Londonderry (Ulster Unionist) declared the policy of the Union with Ireland had never been shown to have lailed. He said Lord Curzon had exploited the Irish question as a plank in his political programme. As a proof Lord Londonderry quoted Lord Birkenhead’s prepared speeches. He added that Lord Birkenhead, in changing his mind over Ireland, was taking a great risk ill order to find a temporary settlement was a pure gamble. Ulster, lie claimed, never expressed an intention to remain out of an All-Ireland Parliament. Ho der to find a temporary settlement, just and efficient administration in the South and West of Ireland would go far to remove Ulster objections to a single Parliament. Ulster, for the present, lie said, intended to adhere to the union with Britain, and was prepared to bear any financial burden entailed on their loyalty. It was not a question of pounds, shillings and pence. Lord Londonderry said he strongly objected to any Boundary Commission. The Act of 1920 had been put forward as a final settlement, but finality seemed as far off as ever. The Archbishop of Canterbury urged their Lordships to vote for the settlement. Lord Carson’s speech, he said, was unworthy of one with such a knowledge of the facts as he had. Lord Middleton said that lie would support the view of the Government. Lord Northumberland moved a similar resolution to Colonel (.return s amendment in the Commons. Lord Finlay thought they were buying jK’aee at too high a price. Lord Bryce believed the (eeling in Ulster would he softened in time, and that she would ioin her fortunes with the lest of Ireland, if law and order wore maintained and the rights of property respected. The House then adjourned.

PRESS COMMENT. LONDON. Dee. 15 The “Evening Standard’s” Dublin correspondent assert- •Though Mr -V Valera’s great point with the public is that the Irish plenipotentiaries laded to submit the Treaty terms to Sum Uein before signing them, the real di- , vision, behind the scenes is the question of allegiance to the British Crown That is the stumbling block. Many n Mr de Valera’s on-sent followers arc anxious for a ratification, but they aic also loth to face the possibility of ■ i de Valera's complete retirement_ from the Irish Government. Mi Collins is now assured of a dear majority of 61 members out of ’be 111 Eireann. .IIM LARKIN’S QUERY. LONDON. Dec. 15 Jim Larkin has cabled to Dublin from his American prison as follows: -l stand with the dead, who live, and sneak: ‘What doth it profit a people t 0 ggiu a shrine of Empire and suffer the loss of its own soul l’ ” FERMANAGH COUNTY COUNCIL. LONDON. Dec. 16 The Fermanagh (Lister) County Council has by a majority of three members, decided to recognise the Dad Eireann, and to have no further communications either with the ,lllls 1 Government or the Belfast Government. , . Ten minutes alter the resolution was adopted a force of Royal Constabulary took possession of the Corn-nil's offices. U is stated this was in order to prevent destruction and withdrawal oi hooks. BRITISH PARLIAMENT. (Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.’l LONDON, Dee. 16. The House of Lords negatived Lord Northumberland's amendment by H 6 to ln the Commons. Mr Chamberlain replying to a. question said the matter of an amnesty to Irish political prisoners would he considered, if the agi cement were ratified by both sides. The Uirds and Commons have both adjourned till Monday awaiting news from the Dail Eireann. IN THE COMMONS. (Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, Dec 10. i In the Commons Mr Gretton’s ametidino.nt was negariv >1 by 4‘>l to 58. j Sir .1 Craig lms arrived to see ! Chamberlain on the boundaries quosj tion. “The present position” he asserts “seems to throw us hack to where we were in 1914.” BELFAST RIOTS. - (Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.) i LONDON, Dec 16. ! Disturbances in Belfast were continued this morning. Two men were shot while going to the shipyards, one ' fatally. Three others were wounded. 1 Two bombs were show nin Narrow-bone district, but no ono was injured. Ibe Ipolit-o ami military have taken up strategic corners from which they are firing at concealed snipers. In the Commons, Mr Hilton I oung stated tlio amount received from Germany under the Reparations financial clauses of Versailles Treaty was not yet sufficient to cover the cost of tho British army of occupation.