THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 January 1922, Page 2

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

THE TIMES ” SERVICE,

HUSH PRESIDENT AND COUNTESS LONDON, January 10.

,Al the sitting of the Dail Eireann Mr de Valera to the last, maintained that Mr Griffith was bound to preserve the Republic.

Mr Griffith replied that he would keep the Republic intact until the people decided for or against the treaty. Mr de Valera rose and read the declaration. promising tjo vofte against tho election of a Chairman of the London delegation as President of tlio Republic, declaring he would not participate in the voting. As do Valera’s following were leaving nqisil£> Mr iQollins sprang up indignantly and shouted: —“We now call on the -Irish people to rally to us. We shall stand by the nation in the hour of trial.” Countess Markieviez on retiring, isb anted—‘ 'SJaVas, Cowards A deputation of Labour organisations requested the House to deal with unemployed and special problems, especially land re-settlement. Mr Griffith suggested the appointment of a committee to confer with the Government.

IRELAND INVITED.

' LONDON, January 10

Ireland has been invited to send a delegation to the European Economic Conference at Genoa.

Australia, New Zealand and the other Dominions as well as Ireland have been invited to tiie Genoa Economic Conferenw.

GRIFFITHS ANSWERS CRITICS. LONDON, Jan 10. When the Dail Eireann assembled in the afternoon of Tuesday, all the Republican members rose in their seats. Mr de Valera then asked Mr Griffiths for a declaration of policy. Mr De Valera promised not to obstruct the new President while he upheld the authority of the Irish Republic. Mr Griffith replied that his policy wa4 “to do the best he could for the Irish people.” After Mr Griffith’s statement, Mr Erskine Childers, a prominent Republican, rose and spoke. Mr Griffiths angrily declined to take notice of Mr Childers, who was striking his fist on. the table. He added : “I won’t reply to any damned Englishman. This is the Dail Eireann.” Mr Childers, white with, passion, then said: “You have no business to quesion my nationality. That is a matter for my constituents. I am not a true Englishman.” The Speaker intervened, and ruled this matter out of order. LABOUR AND THE DAIL. LONDON, Jan 10. When the Dail Eireann resumed after a brief adjournment De Valera and his followers attended the sitting. A deputation from the Irish Labour Party waited on ‘the Dail, and said that .lity were getting impatient and wanted something done to relieve unemployment arid tackle social questions generally.

SELF-DETERMINATION. LONDON, Jan 10. In the Dail Eireann, after Mr Erskine Childer’s affair had been disposed of Professor Mac Neil (Speaker), leaving the Chair, proposed a motion. It was to the effect:—“That Ireland vas a sovereign nation.” The mover said that he did not want it to be possible for anyone to say m future that ’ the Irish People had) not insisted on their rights.

Air De Valera moved an amendment to the: effect that the Dail Eireann reaffirms, in the name of the Irish people the declaration of independence made

on January 21st 1919. Professor Mac Neill accepted the amendment which then became the substantive motion. Mr Griffiths, however, indicated that he would treat the motion c ontenliousi rProfessor Mac Neill then withdrew it. On Tuesday the Dail-Eireann finally decided to adjourn till February 14th. I.R.A. TO REMAIN INTACT. LONDON, Jan. 10. Before the Bail Elreann adjourned Commandant Mulcahy promised that the Irish Army would bd kept intact, and would be the Array of the Republic. BELFAST OUTRAGE. (Received This Day at 8 30 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 11. While a tram car was proceeding down Ardovne Hill, in Belfast, with 86 passengers; ten men approached the car and one excitedly fired a revolver, but the driver accelerated the speed just in time to miss a bomb which fell and exploded behind the car. No casualties resulted. MAN AND WIFE SHOT DEAD. (Received This Dav at 8.30 a.m.) LONDON,, Jan. 11 A dastardly outrage is reported from Crumlin Road district. A workman Anderson, was leaving home and his wife came to the door to say good-bye, when both were shot dead. '