THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 January 1922, Page 3

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOOa..?ION CARSON’S NEW ROLE. LONDON, January 27. A letter from Lord Carson was read at an Ulster Unionist Council meeting. Carson declared: —The great aim of Northern Ireland should be to consolidate its new Government, or else, to settle down to a consideration of the fateful future of the people entrusted to its charge, and to bring about a peace such as they had so long prayer for, and their steady development, found-d in security and confidence. This is only securable by the sinking of sectional interests, for the common welfare.”

IRISH FREE STATE. LONDON, January 28. Persia is the first foreign countr; to recognise the Irish Free State. Thi of Persia has ceremonially pre seated to the Irish Government a sage of congratulation, on behalf oi the Shah of Persia. Mr Arthur Griffiths and Mr M. Collins have replied to Persia, expressing their gratification. SIR J. CRAPS ATTITUDE. v LONDON, Jan 28. Sir James Craig, Ulster’s Premier continuing his speech at the Unionist Council m'eeting at Belfast, said that the pact he concluded with Mr Michael Collins inferred tlm.t the Irish Frqe State would give recognition to Ulster a 3 ian entity and as a Government with whioh the Irish Free State 1 could confer. Wheq he (Craig) held the conference with Mr Collins, he had no idea ol any specific agreement, but he was only seeking to lay rhe past horrors and to encourage the best element throughout the land. They had signed a document, which, he claimed, was to Ireland’s credit.- His recognition of the Irish Free State would enable levelheaded people to rally to the support of Mr Collins’ Government, which, at least, was endeavouring to stave off separation andl an Irish republic. Sir James Craig said, however, that he could promise that an agreement would he reached regarding the boundaries without disturbing the residents desiring to join either the Irish Free State or Ulster. He would never, lie declared, give consent to any arrange, men that would reduce Ulster’s present area. The British Government had agreed that in any agreement for compensation for malicious injuries, Ulster would not lie- treated any worse than the South of Ireland. The old Ulster regiments would not be scrapped. The gloricrusc traditions of tfie Royal Irish Constabulary would be carried on by their Ulster Constabulary. Sir James Craig said that lie believed that Ulster’s entry into the Irish IFree State lay in. the far distant future, hut his programme was to bury the past and to buildj up an Ulster which would bo the envy of! the South of Ireland, and also the 1 West of Ireland, in order that the people of those parts might, l)e happy to co-operate with Ulster.

IRISH CONGRESS. DE VALERA ELECTED PRESIDENT. (Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.) PARIS, Jan. 28 The Irish Congress, amidst cheers, unanimously elected De Valera as President, after the latter had stated lie would only accept provided the position did not carry any political significance. He added that he wanted the Congress to, forget there were two political parties in Ireland and to insist that the organisation not be used for the purposes of any political party. IRISH CONGRESS. PARTS, January 28. Australasin delegates .to the Irish Congress informed the Australin Press Association that they maintained a strict policy of non-interference recognising Ireland’s future was her own concern. We told Congreßs that we were Australians and New Zealanders first and Irishmen afterwards. Nevertheless we are prepared to support any movement, apart from politics.