IRISH AFFAIRS.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 March 1923, Page 3

IRISH AFFAIRS.

• OSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. DEPORTATIONS BLOW TO REBELS LONDON, March 13. The “Daily Express” Dublin correspondent says: Ono hundred and ten arrests of Irish Republicans have been mad© in. Britain. They will mean smashing the rebel Ministry of Munitions, ft is the worst blow yet struck against the rebels. All were arrested for felony treason, in that they had engaged in gun-running, and laid been in possession of munitions ol war lor the King’s enemies. Many of them were fugitives and had found the Free State unhealthy for them, and who those to continue their war from a distance. Some had neeii under observation lor six months. Hie final round-up wax planned monin* ago, and vet only a dozen people were m the secret. Ireland feels that Englam! has been spring “cleaned.”

REPUBLICAN ORGANISATION. LONDON, March I”. Mr Bridgeman, replying to Mr Ramsay MacDonald, in the Mouse of Commons, said that the Irish people who have been arrested, were interned m Ireland under the Restoration of Order in Ireland Regulations. r I here has been a progressive increase in the Irish Republican activities in England, the Government was in possession ol evidence indicating the existence <*i a quasi military organisation which was co-operating with the Irish Irrvgiilai>. to overthrow the Free State. Ihe House agreed to discuss the question, on the motion for the adjournment.

REBEL LOSSES LONDON, March Lb A land mine, concealed beneath a barricade . whirl, a party of rebels were defending at Calnreiven. killed live 1 - h,.|s and wounded seven others ' “c explosion followed two hours lighting with the Free Staters.

arresting irregulars.

(Received this day at 8.30 a.m.) LONDON. March U>* Many Irregulars were captured in Ireland, including ten near a train outrage at Waterford. Corcoran, who was captured in North Mayo was an ex officer in the British army Me was lot. hiding under a. bed clad in a shirt, and in possession of a revolver and bomb Several Irregulars were found hid iM g in ifessionals at Clonmel Church.

DEBATE IN COMMONS.

OVER IRISH (ARRESTS.

(Received this day at 10.30 a.m I LONDON. March L 3. 'l'lie House of Commons adjournment was moved by Jack Jones drawing atk tention to the Irish arrests, He com- * plained that ft number of English born citizens had been deported to another country without trial. The only crime against one was that he acted as secretary to the Irish self-determination ' League in East End. Mr Newbold seconded the motion. Mr MacDonald pointed out that the Labour Party did not associate itself with, any hostile act against the Tri-h Free State, but was anxious to know that the Government acted legally in pp*- deporting the men. Mr Bridgeman replied hv reading correspondence between the rebels in Ireland and those in Britain, in order

to show an active organisation was going on in Britain to attack the Free State Government, and persuade Irishmen to engage in a campaign of destruction in Britain. A letter nd>ltested to the officer, commanding in Britain, enquired about the purchase ol Stokes guns and artillery. Another said wo are considering the carrying on of active hostilities in England, a general destructive policy. There were a. number of Labour interruptions. Mr Bridgeman— “Honourable Gentlemen are not responsible for the safety of country. I am. It is impossible for a sane Homo Secretary to remain passive with this information in his possession.” He consulted the law officers and satisfied himself that it tins quite lawful to proceed under the regulations for the restoration of order in Ireland. The Free State Government desired only to intern the deportees and if found necessary, to take proceedings in ease of a serious offence, warants must he secured from magistrates in Britain. The Free State Government had agreed before they took action other than internment, that they would consult the British Government. Sir J. Simon said he did not doubt Mr Bridgeman was backed by good legal opinion, but this was not primarily a legal question. He deprecated arresting men and handing them over to a separate independent Government as ft gross betrayal of the ordinary liberties of the people living in this country. Everyone would agree with the information before him, the Home Secretary was hound to take grave, careful action, but it was unwise to use internment for persons suspected of crime, particularly if the internment was to be carried out by another Government. Mr Hogg closed the debate. The motion was defeated by 260 to 150.