IRISH AFFAIRS

Hokitika Guardian, 7 August 1924, Page 3

IRISH AFFAIRS

AUHIKALIAN AND N.Z. CAULK ASSOCIATION. IRISH 111 1,1. INTRODUCED. (Received this day at 12.30 p.m.) LONDON. Aug. o. Mr Thomas continued.- .Mr (.'"-grave wrote to .Mr .Mai Donald on till. August stating that after the fiillc.-i consultation with his colleagues, he must urge upon the British Ouvernnicnt the necessity of passing a Bill rectifying the Treaty, hetnre I'arliameiit adjourns, to remove finally the grave dimlit and susJiicions aroused in the minds of the Irish people by the long delay in appointing a boundary commission. Mr .MacDonald felt it impossible to call on I’arliameiit lit the end of the session to (■'(insider legislation which is certain to lxi seriously opposed, not merely in the Commons but ill the Lords, without allowing time for reflection, Therelore Mr Thomas and Mr Henderson went to Dublin and had a full frank discussion with Mr Cosgrave and bis colleagues, as ,'i result of which the Government have decided to ask I’arliameiit. to meet on the 3()tl(. September. instead of Hist. October, (lovernmeut on With. September will move the second reading ol the Bill, and thereafter use all its powers to pass it into law. The (lovernmeut did not pretend that the. h’ree State (loveriinient would be satisfied, but. it was hoped that at least they would be able to satisfy the Irish people that the British (lovernmeut and people meant, to keep faith. The (lovernmeut most earnestly Imped that the Notrliern Ireland (loveriinient before the With. September would appoint a representative to tile Commission rendering further progress with the Bill unnecessary. "Lei there lie no mistake." declared Mr Thomas, "the issues are grave, involving the honour and good faith o! Britain. They are ton serious to be the sport of a party controversy. He hoped therefore that the press and people would refrain from action calculated to inllame old prejudices. Mr Thomas formally introduced the Irish Free State Confirmation of Agreement Bill, which was read a first time.

statement in commons. (Received this day at 11.25 a.in.) LONDON, August G. In the Commons Air Thomas announced that Parliament would meet on the 30th. of September unless, in the meantime the North Irish Government appointed a boundary Commissioner. The Government’s Bill, being introduced to-day, would be pressed forward.