THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 February 1922, Page 2

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

tur TELEGRAPH—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION]

IRISH BILL AMENDED. ■LONDON, Feb. 26

The London “ Morning Post ” states that the British Cabinet have agreed to amend the Irish Free State Bill so as to meet the S> nn Fein demands. The Committee stage of the Bill begins tomorrow. TREATY NOT JEOPARDISED. LONDON, Feb. 26. Mr Duggan of the, Irish Delegation, interviewed, said':—' The British Government had appeared to believe that we virtually had abandoned the treaty. We were able to make it clear that that was not the ease. We stand exactly where we did.' 1 CHURCH ATTITUDE. LONDON, Feb. 26. It is reported that the Irish Catholics are displaying th« greatest interest in the Catholic Bishops’ Lenten Pastorals.

Cardinal Log lie's pastoral lias been transmitted from Rome. It says: “I grieve to learn that the benefits of a settlement are endangered, and a return to real peace impeded, by divisions among our own people.” Dr Maoßory, Catholic Bishop of Down, in Ulster, adopts another line to Cardinal Logue’s, Dr Macßory says he can see no hope of peace if Ulster will persist in cutting herself off from the rest of Ireland politically. It is pretty certain that she will thus ibe cut off economically and commercially. Thus, ill-feeling will be provoked, and religious differences will he perpetuated and'intensified.

Better news, ' ; LOND&N, Feb. 26. The Australian Press Association learns that excellent news is forthcoming regarding the work of the British Border Commission between Ulster counties and the rest of Ireland. I.iasion arrangements have been made under the Commission. The Irish Free State representative, reporting to his Government, shows how prisoners held bv both sicles.huve been released. The same Free State officer has ordered the arrest of a man who was charged with intimidating an Ulster woman living in v- j; nty Monaghan. It transpires the Unionist refugees from County Moliaghali were guaranteed protection, if they returned. Upon this* Ulster reciprocated in respect to the Sinn Fein sympathisers resident in Ulster, who had already lied to County MonilghiUL

ULSTER CONDITIONS. LONDON, Feb. 26

Sir James Craig. Ulster Premier, returning lo Belfast after a th*ee day:.’ tour nvor four liiind r ed miles of Ulster, tald the London “Morning Post” correspondent at Belfast that the districts he had seen reminded him of the Balkans and of Silesia.

Sir Jas. Craig also said: Same par,ts are not safe for loyalist farmers to attend their farms, for fear of being sniped by I.R.A. men. On the other iide of border, loyalist refugees are dready coming from Monaghan. Tlse situation is more grave, owing to Mr Re Valera’s majority in the Sinn Fein convention. IRISH LABOR REQUEST.. (Received This Day ut 8 dO a.in.) LONDON, Feb. 27. The Irish Labour Party has written to Mr Griffith and Mr Collins, demanding a plebiscite on the Treaty, before -the elections, declaring a clear decision, for or against the Treaty was impossible in an election campaign, laising many questions. As a result of Sinn Fein raids cn Ulster border, claims have been submitted for malicious injury to property in Clogher Valiev totaling twentyeight thousand pounds. IRISH CONFERENCE. (Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 27. Hon W Churchill, in the Commons, said the result of the week-end Irish Conference had ibfeeii satisfactory and reassuring, The Irish Ministeis had in no way receded from the Treaty anu Opposition to tfte Republican Party continued unabated. the Provincial Government had agreed it was desirable that the Irish people should have a new constitution before them as well as the Treaty, and their opponents in these circumstances agreed the election should be facilitated. The election would now be held early in June. All u.at was necessary was a simple amendment to the Free State Bill to provide for an election within four months. The technical committee of the Provincial Government was now drafting a constitution.