The Hokitika Guardian TUESDAY, JUNE 20th, 1922. THE IRISH SETTLEMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 June 1922, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian TUESDAY, JUNE 20th, 1922. THE IRISH SETTLEMENT.

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settlement . f the Irish question is destined to he scrutinised by the critics from varying standpoints. Partis.'! nship in the first instance always rum high, while the political aspect also excites great feeling. Th e revised constitution which has been given out, it is not surprising to find is being" the subject of much comment, bitter and otherwise. On the whole, however, the criticism is not strikingly hitter. Nor could it well be, seeing that once again Britain lias he. it generous not to say magnanimous in the desire po promote complete peace. The donstitution while liberal, is notable also for the varied character of the political power. It gives to Ireland at once many phases of pel.tieal action which are reserved for other British countries only through I nrlianientary action. The latter is on the whole much the safer course. But the Irish leadeis evidently wanted a distinctive constitution, and it is to have tact favor. The successor otherwise of the widened scope for political" action ic-N entirely with the Irish administration. A poitical executive,, the referendum. ihe initiative, are all matte s purely Jor the people to invoke its an amelioration of the political sins of omission and commission most countries are inevitably heir to. It icniains to he seen how far the Irish nation is ready for Jiis ‘‘advanced” political emancipation. Much of the demand for the extension of popular lights such as affecting an elective executive, the initiative, and so on,- is largely founded on theory. Certainly countries have the rights already which Ireland is to enjoy but we do not know that the political nets of such countries are specially illuminating. However, iliere is no occasion to quibble over that aspect of the question. If Ireland is able to make a success of the new departure within the Empire so much tl|e better. The mafn tiling is to adjust the differences Ivebetween Britain and Ireland so that paci (nation will be ensured, and Ireland may set out on the highway of national prosperity al lig lines most conducive to her immediate ad-

vancement. If an elective executive or tlie initiative will lead up to tliat; happy consummation, well and good, and the task he quickly done. Centred round the adoption of what has been called home rule for Ireland is the final text for the nation to govern itself wisely and well. In other countries Irishmen have done great work politically, and the native talent at home should ho no exception to the exported talent. There is the opportunity free and accepted for Ireland to take the steps necessary in a constitutional way. Nothing else was required all along, and it is a million pities that all the bloodshed and riot and disaster should have resulted before the nation came to know through its lenders wliat was required as the antidote for its troubles. Years of time, lives without number, wealth and reputation lieyond counting have been lost in the mad frenzy which has invested the Irish question fo r all too long. Let us hope that era of disaster and also disgrace is past, and in the newborn conditions. Ireland will come into her own and he the nation she has the reserve power to make herself.