THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 January 1922, Page 3

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

MJSTRALIAN AND N.Z. GABLE ASSOCIATION. BELFAST OPINION. .Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 23. In consequence of the Collins-Craig pact, Belfast bagmen departed to-day in search of orders in the South West. While Belfast approves of the pact, it remains adamantly determined not to join the Free State. Unionists attach the greatest value to Collins.’ definite recognition of Ulster Government, which the pact implies. IRISH CONFERENCE. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) PARIS, Jan. 24. De Valera, Boland, and other rejectionist members of the Bail Eireann and Lord Ashbourne are attending the first Irish world conference, which opened to-day. Fourteen countries are represented. A resolution was adopted directing attention to the British Government’s vindictiveness 'in keeping imprisoned men and women whose only crime had been assisting their Motherland. IRISH SETTLEMENT. BRITISH AND IRISH MINISTERS CONFER. LONDON, Jan. 23. . Tho Colonial Office states Conferences between the British Cabinet’s Irish Committee and the Irish Free State Ministers were held on Sunday, and they made good progress in the detailed consideration of the measures necessary to the transferring of the Irish Executive responsibility to the new Irish Ministry.

Mr Michael Collins lias returned to Dublin, but the conferences are being continued with Mr Duggan and Mr O’Higgins.