AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 March 1922, Page 3

AMERICAN ITEMS.

AUSTRALIA!* AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.

TREATY OR NOT? LONDON, March 2

When the Irish Free State Bill was in committee, Colonel Gretton (Umon'S#j‘st) moved to omit the word “treaty ‘ from the Bill. He said a treaty could only bo made between high contracting Powers, of independent States The Crown could not constitutionally make a treaty with subjects of the Crown. Mr Churchill resisted the amendmen . The expression “treaty” had, he said, become the foundation of the 1 oht.cal Party in Ireland, who were combating the Republic. Colonel Wedge wood Benn said the Labour Party was convinced that tl treaty had been made with the Irish - - Republic. It was useless for the Government to try and evade the issue, alleging that the words were merch f °The Attorney-General said he did not consider his an occasion for constitutional pedantry.

THE ULSTER POGROMS. IjONDON, March 2. President Arthur Griffiths of the Irish Free State Government, replying to questions in the Dad Eireann, s.u “Our abolition of the boyco Ulster •by the rest of Ireland has, been followed by attacks on the S and Catholics in Ulster. These attacks are inspired by the Orange enemies of the Irish Treaty, with a view to preventing the Free State from carrying . -out its abolition of the boycott. If these attacks are continued the Free State Cabinet, he added, would considei flhe advisability of reimposing the boycott.

IRISH ELECTIONS. LONDON, March 3

The Dail Eireann has rejected the Anti-Treaty Party’s proposal to extend the Irish Parliamentary suffrage to women. Mr A. Griffith described the proposal as “a dishonest trick.

CHURCJIILL SPEAKS OUT.

LONDON, March 2.

Sir F. Banbury moved an amendment, defining the Treaty as between British and Southern Ireland. Mr Churchill, in refusing to accept this amendment, said that if it were carried, the Bill would be dead, and the Treaty would also he dead, and so would the Government be dead. “If,” ,hc said, “1 am asked why we decline in insert the words ‘Southern Ireland, 1 would say it is because we are negotiating with men who, rightly or wrongly, ute decided to consider as representing th® Irish Nation.’ At this there were loud Ulster cries of “Traitor!” “Sit down!” followed by a considerable uproar. Continuing Mr Churchill said: “There were provisions in this Bill which enabled Ulster to contract itself out of the arrangement, if necessary. The Government, as signatories to the treatv, were in honour bound to go through with it. (Cheers).

The debate then took an ugly turn. The Unionist “Die-Hards,” undaunted by Mr Lloyd George’s threat'of bis resignation, attacked the Government. Mr Ronald McNeil passionately charged tile Premier with “dishonourable” conduct, and of conferring with “malefactors.”

Lord Hugh Cecil gibed at the Ministers as being fearful that they would be left by their Irish co-adjutors with a derelict treaty, which tHey would have to sell for what it would fetch in the English constituencies. “Though Wp know,” be snid, “the treaty <*armot he killed, we wish the Government was as dead as mutton.” Sir F. Banbury’s amendment was rejected by 254 to 64.

IRISH DEBATE

'Received This Dav at B.SO a.m.) LONDON, March 3. The Irish debate was resumed. Lord Hugh Cecil in moving an amendment declared the Government did not intend to agree to the transfer of any- great area of the six countries, hut only to minor adjustments of tho boundary. Ronald McNeil quoted Michael Collins ns having sn.id Sir J. Craig had been tricked by has own friends. H«n W. Churchill intervened, saying that any statement that a promise had bee* give* Griffiths and Collinfc that Fermanagh and Tyrone would be handled over, was absolutely untrue. Tie could not accept an amendment interpreting the Treaty. Captain Craig declared the Government had got itself into a dreadful mess and must break its pledges, either to Ulster or Sinn Fein. Mr Churchill moved the closure which was named by 199 to 160 ,nmid cries of “Gag.” The amendment was negatived.

LONDON, March 3. Lord Hugh Cecil moved that the Chairman of the Boundary Commission ehould be .appointed by Government with the consent of both houses. It was desirable to have security that the Government would make a proper appointment. Sir Hamar Greenwood said the Government could not delegate their responsibilty. The amendment was negatived without division.

Captain Craig’s amendment that no part of the 'boundary be altered without the north of Ireland’s consent was nejpfttived by 107 to 51.