THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 February 1922, Page 3

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. COLLINS AND CHURCHILL. (Received Tliis Dav at 9.40 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 18. Michael Collins, interviewed regarding Hon W. Churchill’s statement that by establishing the Free State the Irish people would dis-estahlish the Republic, said:—“Nothing that would he proposed to the Irish people should tie the nation’s feet informally.”

IRISH HAPPENINGS. Received Tliis Dav ar, 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, February 19

Mid Limerick and South Tipperary Brigades of the Irish Republican Army have proclaimed repudiation of the Free State, and a renewal of allegiance to the Republic. Belfast is more peaceful. Shooting occurred on a restricted scale. The victims included a butcher shot in his shop by armed raiders a publican seriously wounded by a bomb which wrecked the Ale house; a girl of twelve was wounded by a bullet fired through a window as she sat in a kitchen. Five men stopped a man in Cuapr Street and asked for a match and then shot him inflicting a dangerous wound.

The Northern Government has decided. to cancel the prosecution of Monaghan footballers, though they had already been committed for trial. It is hoped the southern authorities will now apply for bail, and thus secure their immeditate release, otherwise the footballers must remain in custody until formally discharged at the Assiz&s. The border commissions accepted by both Governments were operating during the week-end, continually patrolling the frontier, in order to avoid causes of friction.