IRISH AFFAIRS

Hokitika Guardian, 4 August 1924, Page 2

IRISH AFFAIRS

IUBTRikLIAN AND N.Z* CABLE ASSOCIATION. hush debate. intentions OF government. LONDON, August 1. Replying in the Commons to Mr Baldwin. Mr Thomas said the report of the Judicial Committee mentioned 011 duly 23rd. "as presented to His Majesty yesterday. The report held that the refusal of the Government of North Ireland to appoint a moniker of th 6 Boundary Commission was a contingency unforeseen at the date of the passage of the Act of Parliament Implcmentnry Treaty. If tilio refusal was maintained there was no constitutional means, under the existing statute for bringing the C> mission into existence. The report raised grave issues and the Government was hound by honour to secure the carrying cut of the undoubted intention of Parliament when it ratified the Treaty. The Government earnestly noped the Government of North Ireland, even at this late stage, would appoint a Commissioner. II that hope were not fulfil led, Government would forthwith introduce legislation regardless of the consequences to itself. Not merely the honour of the Government, lntt the honour of the country was involved in seeing that the obligation of the Treaty imposed on the l liitod Kingdom was fulfilled in the. spirit and in flic letter. His colleagues and he himself were not prepared to omit any step necessary to plate the good fait 11 of Parliament and the people I ayuial question.

FURTHER DISCUSSION*. LONDON. August 1

In the Commons. Mr l.loytl George expressed groat satisfaction at the announcement: He himself and till his colleagues would suppoit *he Government measures neeessaty to make clear to Empire and the world that the Government^ wore not prepared to sliiillle out of a bargain on the lucre question of machinery. Air Ashley angrily asked if there was an Ininourahle agreement with I Ister. Air Thomas answered that there was nothing more disastrous to this issue than passion and feeling. At the request of Mr MacDonald he had invited Mr Cosgrave and Sir d. Craig to meet him in Loudon. Mr Thomas •said he still believed in the possibility of a peaceful settlement. Air Bonald McNeil asked if Air Thomas realised that the Government’s assumption that this was a lucre drafting oversight, was not linivelsell and would he -hotly contested; hut it must not he forgotten that the Treaty had been not merely ratified by Parliament, hut was endorsed at the general election. Mr Green asked whether the Minister realised what it meant to introduce legislation to override the option given to a self-govern-ing State within (hi- Empire.

Air Thomas said it was the 1 miction of the Commission to decide the boundary. A distinguished Judge ol unquestioned impartiality and knowledge was now here with the concurrence of the South African Government and had visited North and South Ireland. It. was not for the Government to interfere witll the function imposed upon him by statute. Legislation would not he introduced until alter the meeting with Cosgrave and Craig. Air AVetlgew'vnd Beun asked whethei, in the event of the introduction ol a Bill being necessary, it would he passed through all stages bclore the recess;

Air Thomas said he wanted nothing done, that might hinder the possibility of j> settlement. For him to make such announcement would have this effect, hut lie emphasised the point that no step would he 101 l untried to I rove to the world conclusively before the rising of Parliament-, wlmt Die Government intended.

STATEMENT IN RAIL. LONDON. August 2.

Mr Fitzgerald, in the Rail Eireann. read the statement made by Mr Thomas (Colonial Secretary) in the British House of Commons on the Di-li boundary question.

Mr Torn Johnson, the Labour Party Leader, denounced the British, politicians’ treachery, and lie declared that as the Irish Treaty lias not been fulfilled. they should now remake the Free Mate Constitution at the earliest moment.

Mr O'Higgins warned the members against lotting tlteir feelings outrun their judgment, lie said the treaty had not broken down, LONDON. August 2.

The ‘Daily Express" says: It is undeisiooil Mr Baldwin and Lord Biikonhead and Mr Chamberlain have now agreed on their policy regarding the Ulster Boundary question. They consider Ulster’, position could he safeguarded by limiting the piaweis of a Commission to a simple ivrti(nation of the frontier.

the “Daily Tclcgral li" also hints their atli'iupt to reach a solution on those lines.

ANXIETY IN IRELAND. LONDON, August 2

Mi .). H. Thomas's statement regarding Ireland lias aroused the keenest anxiety in Ulster and iu the Irish Free State.

Several of the speakers in the I fail Kilcaan referred to a public ford aiding that a tragedy i< approaching. Mr o'lliggin.s (Munster) depreciated auv tciiiler.iy to wax tiiibulent tit -bort notice, lie declared: “This is i: , cit-c for any sudden decision, or lor jumping to conclusions which tacts do not justify. The l)ail Kiroattu ha- adjourned till August 12th. AN I'I.STKR STATKMKNT. I.ONDtiN. August '4. The I'l-ter Association has issuetl a statement to the cllcct that : "l lster already made great saeriliees of territory antler the Act <-f 1920. and that Sir .1. Craig had tepeatcdly intitnaled bis willingness to negotiate with a tv; n-entatito of the Free State on a mutual bii.se." The statement conclude-: ‘'Without defining the terms of reference for the lioundary Commission. Mr MacDonald is asking I Istcr to take it leap in the dark.’’ lit ISII MINISTERS IN LONDON. LONDON, August 2. President Cosgrave has anived in |,on lon. He immediately conferred with Mr .). 11. Thomas (Colonial Secretary). and Mr It. MacDonald. Lord Londonderry ami Colonel Spender (I'lster) .subsequently joined the Conference. ROENDAIiY ((INFERENCE FAILS, (.Received tliis day at S n.tn.) LONDON. Aug. 2. The lri-b ConfereiKS* broke tip witliont arranging for a future meeting. The proceedings were most secret, but it i- believed they failed to agree Consequently, the Government will proceed with its legislation.