THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 November 1922, Page 3

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. VISIT TO IRELAND. [Received this' dnv at 9.30 ».:n.) LONDON, Nov. 19 Professor Osbourne of Melbourne relating his impressions of a visit to Ireland, said Ulster was still showing 'traces ef the old evil (.lays, but excepting for sporadic activities by Southern gunmen, she maintains law and order. Ulstermen’s traditional wish to he left alone was never stronger than to-day. Beliast’s appearance is almost normal. Only armed guards on the public buildings show the fear of the old enemy. Unemployment is rife, hut has been relieved somewhat by tho formation of huge police establishments. ’I he future of shipbuilding yards is doubtful. They exist in defiance of the ordinary economic laws. Every ton of iron and coal is impart’d, and wages arc high. Oulv well designed plans, and workmen’s extraordinary ability sustain the industry. There is no general desire nor permanence of a separate government for Ulster. The hope is constantly expressed that the British connection will ho reestablished. Par* iiament sits in the Presbyterian college. No Ulsterman wants a penny expended on t.ho new Parliament buildings. Harrowing poverty was

less apparent in Dublin Ilian on former visits. The slum children seemed better clothed, nourished and cleaner. A visit to the Bail Eircann left a pleasant impression. The debates were conducted with dignity and with attention to syntactical precision of speech, which other legislatures might well imitate. Air Cosgrove and Air O’Higgins struck me as earnest men. endeavouring to do their Lost. Air Alul.ahy's utterances and demeanour wore restrained hut. his acts do not proclaim him a strong man. In Dublin, the nights were lively with firing and bombing. It is said" that th.: (' unry Republicans reproach their city Lunds with Slack-; ness. The latter thereupon make as much noise as possible. There is nightly a battle with paint, chalk and tins. They disfigure the public buildings. A ichei enthusiast paints up the word republic about the city in great letters and next day it is tarred over by F-ee Stut"r.“. Th" next night the same word is painted over the tar in red and so on. Even gravestones tire not spared in this wordy warfare. A remarkable feature ol Dublin life is the number ol educated women among the extreme Republicans. They give the impression that they would cheerfully die for tho Hail. Even religion (oiues s-coinl lo their misguided patriotism. In the north-west and extreme' south of Ireland there is a state of wild lawlessness. I'Ve Stat-

ers and Republicans alike harry Doiico,i I prop staut j losses - i'll. They consider firing on an 1 Istennan a rather good joke. Paintings |mi G red by bullets and upholstery wantonly slashed with knives arc common sights in Londonderry sale rooms. The impression is general that the I* roe

Staters are not. gaining the u|>]H*r hand ove" tiie Republicans.