IRISH AFFAIRS

Hokitika Guardian, 28 April 1924, Page 3

IRISH AFFAIRS

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[Reuters Tei.eguams.J

IRISH TARIFFS. LONDON, April 20,

The Irish Free State Finance Minister, in introducing the Budget in the Dail Eireann, announced the adoption of a protective Tariff on imported bottles, hoots, confectionery, and motor bodies, The tea duty is being decreased by 3d per lb.

CRISIS IN CONFERENCE. LONDON, April 25

The newspapers regard the Irish boundary deadlock as the most serious crisis since the Irish Treaty was signed. Mr .1. 11. Thomas (Colonial Secretary) has exhausted every avenue to reconcile the parties, hut the Ulsterites have proved ada inaut, and they refused to yield an inch of territory during a six hours’ debate. Some sources suggest that the Government will Hesitate to pass specail legislation, hut rnaiiv convene an all Irish Conference, in the hope of a miracle occurring. The fact of the delegates remaining in London is believed to foreshadow an interview with Mr .MacDonald. The “E voniivj; Standard’s” Belfast correspondent states: "Ulster is determined to line the frontier with her own troops, if the British forces there are withdrawn.”

The “Irish Times” pleads with the parties to compromise, instead of incurring the risk of the anarchy of civil war.

IRISH DUTIES. LONDON, April 20

Dublin reports states the new taxes imposed by the Free State include three-fifths of a penny in the pound on sugar, sixpence on cocoa and ton per cent on soap, and candles.

THE BOUNDARY SQUABBLE. LONDON. April 27.

The “Sunday Express” Dublin correspondent says the enemies at Ulster, and the Free. State alike are delighted at the break clown of the boundary Conference. They believe that special legislation will lie inevitable to enable the Commission proceed without the Ulster nominee and if the Commission reports favourably the transfer of

Tyrone, Fermanagh. South Down. South Armagh and Couny Derry to the Free State. Britain must either force Ulster to accept the decision or break the Anglo-Irish Treaty. Mr Healey, ns representing Fermanagh and Tyrone in the Imperial Parliamen. writes in the “Sunday Express” arguing that if the Treaty is in any way violated there will he no necessity to resort to civil war in order to create a Republic- that can ho done by a constitutional general election, and a return of the party pledged to purge the Constitution of all references to the oatli.