THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 January 1922, Page 3

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

“ THE TIMES ” SERVICE. IRISH parliament- ratifies treaty. PERSONNEL OF PROVISIONAL government. LONDON, January 14. 4. meeting of the Southern Irish f liament was held tio-day at Dublin. ' m It ratified the treaty unanimously. Mr de Valera’s followers did not attend. . . . ~ The following Irish Provisional Go- ( ' vernment has been constituted: " President of Dail Eireann: Mr Arthur Griffiths. Other Ministers: Messrs Michael Collins, Duggan, Hogan, Higgins and Professor Evan Mac Neill. Mr Griffiths, as President of tlie Dail Eireann, is included in the Provisional Ministry. CARSON’S VIEWS. LONDON, January 14. Sir E. Carson, speaking at the Conservative Club at Canterbury, referred to the Irish Treaty. They had bteen told, he said, the treaty would bring peace in Ireland. What peace meant, he asserted,' they had seen in the last few weeks in the Irish Parliament. It was “the peace that surpassed all understanding” They had been asked to trust the Coalition Government. He did not trust it, and he would not, and he would advise them not to trust it. There was no Coalition Government. There was a Lloyd Georgian Government, and nothing else. It was always the same, he said, when one man stood out in, courage and ability above all others. He swallowed the others. Mr Lloyd George, said Lord Carson, had killed the Unionist Party. They must not lot him kill tlm Conservative Party. Let is start afresh, with however small a nucleus.

UN 10NITS TO MEET

LONDON, January 13

The Southern'and Western Unionists meet on January 19th to discuss the poBibility of their co-operating with Mr Arthur Griffith's provisibnal government.

A PROTEST. LONDON, January 13. The Committee of the Irish Self- Determination League of Great Britain have passed a resolution of proto?* against the exclusion of Irish political offenders sentenced in England from the amnesty allowed prisoners in Ireland. The resolution declares that the continued imprisonment of these men is an act of English vindictiveness and a breach of faith with the Irish Government. THE BELFAST TERROR. LONDON, January 13. The military at Belfast warned the public that, in the event of any firing from houses, they are empowered to evict and arrest Occupants, and to close or destroy the premises.

SOUTHERN PARLIAMENT.

'Received This Day at 8 30 a.m.) : , LONDON, Jan. 11. The Southern Parliament meeting lasted-half an hour. The business was formal. Pierce Beasley, in submitting the Ratification motion, remarked: “ We are here to 'do business, not talk. Joseph Mcßride seconded, and said an overwhelming majority of Irishmen demanded that the Treaty be resolutioned and adopted, whereupon Air Griffiths pointed out that the Provisional Government would now be created to take charge in carrying out the terms of the Treaty. The Dail Eireann would remain in existence until tlie terms ueie carried out, and a general election held in Ireland. The Provisional Government deserved the support of every good Irishman. The task would be heavy. There were difficulties from the outset, hut with Hie help of nll Casses they would succeed. The Provisional Government would regard no distinction between Irishmen. Every guarantee would be made for fair play all round. Mr Griffith said: “We are starting a new era. We want .the old differences between sections of Irishmen banished forever. New differences would arise, as in every community, hut they would he between Irishmen owning one State.