The Hokitika Guardian TUESDAY, JAN. 10th, 1922. THE DECISIVE STEP

Hokitika Guardian, 10 January 1922, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian TUESDAY, JAN. 10th, 1922. THE DECISIVE STEP

Tiie decision of the Dail Eireann. to ratify the London agreement as affecting the peace of Ireland was the sensible outcome to the situation as it presented itself. The terms ratified wore those reached at the Conference betwoen the Irish representatives and the Cabinet Committee. On behalf of Great Britalin, signatures were appended by Mr Lloyd George, Lord Birkenhead, Mr Churchill, Sir Worthington Evans, Sir Hainan Greenwood, and Sir Gordon Hewart, while on behalf of the Dail Eireann, Messrs ' Griffith, Collins, Barton and Duffy signed. This was on December 6th. last sincfc When the question has been much discussed by the Dail Eireann. From the outset the terms were generally acclaimed as reasonable and a fair and equitable settlement. The bulk of the American opinion was to that effect, and the terms received also influential approval from the Pope. But within the Dail Eireann the spirit of rebellion still prevailed and a strong opposition displayed 1 itself. It is worth remembering that the Dail Eireann is composed of those who were in open rebellion, and this element was naturally recalcitrant. By a little more than a bare majority this extreme element has approved the terms notwithstanding that Mr de Valera produced a treaty in opposition to the document accepted by both parties at the conference. There was thus a very sharp dividing line, but it is due to the good sense of the majority to find that when the crucial test 'came, a fair majority stood for the London compact. Any other course would have been a serious disaster to Ireland. Mr Lloyd George has made it plain that the Government went the full limit in its concessions and the representatives of Southern Ireland as they have now expressed themselves i were wise in their decision. Ireland will have a great opportunity to work out her own destiny now. If the southern part of Ireland can display the ability to govern itself, the rest of Irewill no doubt come into the union. Some wild speeches were made at the )

Dail Eireann sessions and the rebellious spirit manifested there has vet to be allayed. It remains to be seen what attitude Mr de Valera and his supporters will take up when the treaty is being put into effect. The onus for the future will be placed upon them. The opposition up to the present has been fanatical in contrast ri> the common sense views of those favoring ratification. The desire will be to help Ireland to a speedy settling down so as to recover from the reign of terror which has overcast the country. Ulster will now come more into the pictuc. and statesmanship will have to he exercised to placate the opposition in that quarter. There also, the extremists have been making the position more and more difficult, hut with the inevitable now presenting itself, it is to be hoped the common sense view will prevail there also, and every opportunity afforded to perfect the peace of Ireland ami bring in a new reign of prosperity.