The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, AUGUST 5th, 1924. UNHAPPY IRELAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 August 1924, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, AUGUST sth, 1924. UNHAPPY IRELAND.

Tub defect in the Irish Treaty whereby an impasse has Ireen reached in regard to tho boundary question between the Free State an<i Clster, has lieconie a matter of very serious concern. It is to be regretted very greatly that the affairs of Ireland are again in the melting pot, and that the nation is in that unhappy state when the family is once again at serious variance. I'nder the treaty a boundary commission was to be sot wp, but Ulster refuses to appoint its Commission and there is not any power either to act without tho Ulster Commission or to appoint a substitute. Several efforts have been made to reach a satisfactory arrangement, but all without avail. The Prime Minister now urges legislation to reach a way out of the deadlock. That means, of course, that the whole subject will bo reopened by the House of Commons and the differences again thrashed out. Before taking this final step, Mr Ramsay MacDonald has made a Inst appeal to Ulster to nominate a representative “as an act of generosity in tho interests of tho Umpire. ’’ nnd •Mr Cosgrave as tho head of the Freo

State Govern men,!. and Sir JimienS Craig, the head of the Ulster Government have been called to London for a liunl conference with tho Government. Meantime the- Government Conference called of the .signatories to the Irish Treaty lias met and discussed the delicate situation. Only newspaper gossip is available as to the proceedings, hut delay in legislative action was urged. It would appear that while the Unionists as a general laxly will support Ulster. the Liberals in general will stand hy the Government with the object of Ulster being forced to appoint a representative. or in the event of continued refusal, the ’appointment- to lie made hy tin* Imperial Government, and the boundary commission to sit and act legally. If the extreme action is to he taken it does not follow that all will end well. If Uster is not satisfied with the decision of tho Boundary Commission there are fears that it will, he resisted by force. 011 the other hand if the Free State is not satisfied, it seems more than likely that, the Republican party will overthrow the Free State. Government, and serious disorder will reign again in unhappy Ireland. At the same time if there is undue delay in acting. Mr Ccsgravc’s government stands in serious jeopardy. Many relxds have been released of late to placate public opinion. an indication that the republican tooling is strong, and the course of events may tend to make it strong!'' still, til! finally the constituted Government may find itself ousted from office. A con II id ill Ireland again would ho deplorable from all points ol view, hot events are tending that way unfortunately. The British Government- is pledged to ciiiry out the terms of the treaty—one phase of which is the settlement of the boundary question. Tho Labor Government very properly proposes to honor that pledge and the Liberals will support them. The dispute if carried on to the floor of t.ie House of Commons may precipitate n general election in Great Britain, and there is not. imy tollic when- snrli an iivent might curry the Motherland. The United Kingdom. Ho less than Ireland itself. Is very seriously involved in the settlement nt the Irish Treaty, aiul unless mi amicable way out is found there will be serious national trouble caused, and nil Britain will be involved in tho eoiillict. It is 1.0 be hoped wiser counsels will prevail to prevent a serious development.