THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 April 1922, Page 2

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

U3BTKALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION,

TREATY OPPONENTS CRITICISED, LONDON, April 23.

Mr Arthur Griffiths, Free State Presicleiit, spoke at a fully attended meeting of the Dail Eireann at Dublin. In ci o course of his remarks Mr Griffiths o.nplained of the obstructive tactics of he opponents of the Treaty. He instanced tlie suppression of the Dublin -'per “The Freemans’ Journal” by the mti-Treaty party. The position of Ister, he said, had beeii aggravated by -lie Treaty obstructionists, who had ought to impose a boycott on Ulster afier the Pact was made. The result of this had been more massacres of Catholics in Ulster.

Commandant Mulcahy denounced the mutineers in vigorous terms. He derailed outrages which, he said, included raids on 331 post offices. He said many prominent firms were closing their offices temporarily.

I.ILA. OFFICER SHOT, LONDON, April 26. Ooimma'ndant O’Neil of the Third Cork Brigade of the Irish Republican Army, was shot dead without warning when accompanying others officers on a duty call to Hornibrook, a farmer near Bandon. A member of H’ornibrook’s family has been arrested,

IRISH ELECTIONS. LONDON, April 26. The elections in Southern Ireland will be held in June and the right of freedom of speech will be upheld.

COLLINS AND CRAIG

LONDON, April 26. Some recent correspondence that passed between Sir Janies Craig and Mr Michael Collins, has been published It commences with Collins stating, on behalf of the Free State Government that he must refuse to co-operate with the Northern Government on a Railway Commission until the vital clauses in the Irish agreement had been fulfilled by Ulster; particularly those regarding the release of Southern prisoners, which Mr Collins described as most unsatisfactory.

Sir J. Craig sent a lengthy reply. He stated the Northern Government was trying to carry out the spirit and let- _ ter of the agreement, but that Free State Departments as a whole were not showing courtesy and consideration such as the Northern Government had hoped for and had taken action calculated to embarrass the Ulster Administration, as despite the agreement armed incursions into the Northern territory continued. Sir J. Craig stated he regretted the disturbances in Belfast. The Northern Government were hampered in suppressing crime, ' and with regard to prisoners a large number committed murder or other serious crimes. Sir J. Craig in conclusion, said lie earnestly asked Mr Collins to remember Article 11 of the agreement-find join him in asking their peoples to exercise restraint.