THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 April 1922, Page 3

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

*\ FREE STATE-UI.STER AGREEMENT. REACHED IN LONDON. the Terms announced. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. UABLK ASSOtii^-rtON Jfc ' LONDO, March 30. Jr Jn the House of Commons; the Rt. liofi Winston Churchill anftotincSd that the Irish Conference in London had coin© to an agreement. He stated the nature of the terms as follows: Claus© I.—This reads: “Peace .is to-day declared.” • » Clause 11: states:—“From to-day - the- Governments undertake to cooperate id every way, with a view to the restoration of peace in the unset- . tied districts:” , ■ A „ I The third clause sets out that Speciail Poiico are to be appointed in the “mixed” districts, composed half of libiilali Catholics, , half of Protestants, the recruits, for these being chosen by a Special Advisory Committee. All the police on duty, except those on secret service, are to be m uni or , a ( nd to be officially numbered. Anj search for arms is to be carried out by | police composed half of Roman CathoL -and hillf of Protestants. The military ' to render any necessary assistance. ’,, , „ The fourth Clause states that a _ ■ court shall be constituted for trials w without, a jury, of all nersorts chanced with serious crimes. This Court l. insist of tho Irish Chief and one of the Lords of Appeal The Government of Northern Ireland is to pass the necessary legislation giving

effect to this. The fifth Clause provides for a Committee comprising an equal number o Protestants and Roman Catholics, to sit at Belfast to investigate the complaints regarding the intimidation and the outrages, there. The local preto bel asked to insert such reports of these- disturbances as may be communicated by the committee The Sixth Clause sets out that the Republican Army’s activity is tfi.cease in the six northern counties, and < thereupon, the special pchce are « organised for the six counties outside Belfast, similar to that iii Dclfa^t. • 'The seventh Clause states that immediately following the passage of the Bill framing the constitution of the (Free State, before the address, in accordance with Article Twelve, is P’C.aented to the Crown, there shall he . further meeting of the signatories to this agreement, to ascertain whethei means can he devised to secure the unity of all Ireland and f-.iling this, whether an agreement can be aiTived at on the boundary question otherwise than by means of the Boundary Commission. . , Tlie eighth Clause provides for the v. return home of the persons expelled, Jf to be secured by the respective Go- “ vernments. The advice of the Committee set up under Clause 5 is to he sought in case of any difficulty. - i The ninth Clause states that in view of the special conditions consequent upon the political situation existing in 'Belfast and (its 'neighbourhood, the British Government will submit to Parliament a vote. (not. exceeding half a million, for the Ministry of Labour in Northern Ireland. This sum is to be expended exclusively on i-elief work, one-third for the benefit ottioman Catholics and two-thirds for the benefit of Protestants. The Northern Protestants are to agree to use every effort to secure the * restoration of the- expelled Catholic workmen, hut whereas, this is impraeicahle, owing to depression, the workmen will he afforded employment on relief works tef the extent of which one-third of (the half-million will allow. ProtestanJ-Kex-service men will he given ts*-?frst preference in respect of two-thirds oil this fund. The tenth Clause provides that the Governments shall arrange for the release of political prisoners, but no offence after March 31st is to he open for consideration. The eleventh Clause states that the two Irish Governments unite in appealing to all concerned to refrain from inflammatory speeches, and to exercise restraint in the interests of peace. FREE STATE. BILL. , . '"jßeceived This Dav *.t 8 3H.a.m • C " LONDON, March 31. The Irish Fife Sate Bdl has received the royal assent. Mr Griffiths interviewed, said if the document signed last night, as the outcome of the London Conference is carried out in the spirit of the signatories, it will give us later a united Ireland which every honest, sensible Irishman whatever his creed, desires. PLEASURE AT AGREEMENT. (Received This Dav at 3 30 a.m.) LONDON, March 31. Dublin and. Belfast newspapers joyfully hail the' agreement. The “Irish Times” says the terms represent a large minded courageous effort to remove the causes of strife between the north and south and lay the foundations for national settlement. Good Irihmen will thank God for this agreement.