THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 December 1922, Page 3

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

IMn * y CABLE ASSOCIATION. AUSTRALIAN AND N- z - CA " Ai REPUBLICANS HOLD ALOOF. ' LONDON, December 6. Mr Timothy Healy. was sworn >n as Governor-General of the Irish Free State by the Lord Chief Justice »t his residence at C’hapclizod, in Dublin. Members of the Dail were sworn m in the evening at Leinster House. Thq streets leading thereto were specially guarded by Free State troops, and admission was strictly limited Nobody was allowed in the Strangers Gallery. Mr Cosgrove was unanimously >°- elected President. Professor Hayes was elected Speaker, Mr Patrick 0 Malloy vice-chairman. Mr Healey sent a message stating: “I wish the people of Ireland ol all creeds, classes and opinions a peaceful Clnistmas.” At the opening of the Irish laihnment, Mr Cosgrave nominated the following Executive' Council; Home Affairs "Mr Keven O’Higgins; Education, Mr John Mac Neil; Local Government Mr Ernest Blyth; Industry and Commerce, Mr Joseph McGrath; External Affairs, Mr Desmond Fitzgerald ; Finance, Mr Cosgrave; Defence, Mr Alulcahy. The Republican members were absent.

Mr Johnson, Labour Leader, declared that he took the oath conditionally, that if ever he deemed it wise to denounce the treaty anil amend the constitution, his declaration of allegiance should not bar his freedom of action. Mr Cosgrave said that lie did not intend to force unwilling people into the Free State, but he must not forget there were many in Six Counties (Lister) who wanted to come in. “We are hound to see their wishes respected; that is part and parcel of the Treaty.” He paid n tribute to the-scrupulous manner in which the British Government had observed the treaty in letter and spirit, not attempting to whittle it down. He read a message of greeting and goodwill from Mr Bonar Law and the Cabinet. Among Mr Cosgrave’s nominees for the Senate are the Dowager Countess Desart, Marquis of Headford, Lords Dunraven. Grananl, Glenavy. Kerry. Mayo, and Wicklow, Sir Thomas Grntton Esmonde. Sir Nugent Evernrd, Sir John Keane, Sir Bryon Mahon and Sir Horace Blanket. BIRTH OF NEW STATE. LONDON, December 7. The “Daily Express’s” special correspondent at Dublin says: A brand new tricolour over the Government buildings was the sole outward sign of the birth of the new State and the lieginning of the new era iei Ireland’s his torv. The absence of bunds bells and bunting did not mean lack of gratitude and goodwill on the part of the Irish people, but a desire not to pnrtieipate in rejoicings, which might cause trouble. An influential Irishman said: Freedom ! comes at last, not blithely and smiling- | ly, but with a countenance tense, even tragic. We greet her cordially and j hopefully,, but without exultation. j That, is Dublin’s keynote, and that is how the benign December day her- I aiding Ireland’s day of days found the j citizens mostly' following the great his- , toric event. Dublin this week lias been more immune from crime than for months past, j Nevertheless the best informed men are , gravely anxious regarding the imrne- i diate future. A number of prominent Republicans have been seen in the oitv and a coup is feared as the anti-out-rage precautions are widespread and no one is permitted to enter the Government Buildings without be bur searched. Troons are patrolling the streets.

Tlio Commissioners for Excise and Inland revenue nnnouce that the current year’s customs and excise and other taxes in Ireland will not he affected hjv the proclamation of the Irish ■ Government. Shipping between the British and Irish ports will continue on a coast-wise basis. The new regime will double taxation between the Free State and Britain or the Free State and Ulster.

FREE STATERS CAPTURED. LONDON, December 7. Some. Irregulars, possessing an armoured car and machine-guns, rushed the village of Ballymakeera, near Macroom. in Count}' Cork, which was"ffield by a Free State garrison numbering a hundred. Fighting continceil for several hours. Ultimately the garrison, after the loss of one killed and 15 seriously wounded surrendered. The Irregulars gathered all the available arms and ammunition and marched the prisoners to the mountains. Subsequently the prisoners returned to Ballymakeera, the finding it impossible to detain such a large party in the thinly inhabited mountainous country. ULSTER’S MOVE. LONDON, December 7. Sir J. Craig submitted his “contracting out” proposal in the Ulster Parliament, which took the form of an address to the King, praying that the powers of the Irish Free State Pnrliahment and Government should not extend to Northern Ireland. He declared the only possible way to secure co-operation and peace was for the south to settle its own affairs the north also carrying on a Parliament of its own. The Ulster Senate carried an identical motion, and the Parliament adjourned. Sir J. Craig has gone to London.