IRISH AFFAIRS

Hokitika Guardian, 3 February 1925, Page 2

IRISH AFFAIRS

LATEST CABLE NEWS

* CONDITIONS IN IRELAND. EX-SOLDIERS’ TERRIBLE PLIGHT. CHILDREN CRYING FOR FOOD. (USTIIALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION LONDON, February I. 1 lie “ Daily Mail ” states that the Duke of Northumberland, chairman of the Southern Ireland Loyalists Relief fund, in appealing for funds declares the conditions in the West and South ol Ireland resemble a famine, which is due to the failure of the harvest, the scarcity ol peat and the widespread unemployment.

llie conditions to which the ex-ser-vicemen from Southern Ireland have been reduced are heartbreaking, their homes having been denuded of everything pawnable and the children crying tor lood. There is not a word of complaint from these helpless men, only a bare recital, of their services for Britain, in her time of ' stress and the fact that they are starving.

IRISH REPUBLICANS. WELLINGTON, January 31. To celebrate the declaration of Irish Independence by Dail Eireann on January 31st., 11)19, a rally was held at the Irish Republican Association rooms 59 Manners Street, Wellington, on Sun day, 2-jtli. January. There was a largo attendance, and great enthusiasm prevailed throughout tho meeting. Several gramophone selections iof Ireland rebel songs were much appreciated. The current issue of “The Irish Nation” (Irish News) was much sought after. An appeal was made for reucwod support in tho work being carried on by the Association resulted in several new members being enrolled at tho close of the meeting. Tlie following resolution was moved and seconded, and on being put to tho meeting, carried unanimously: “That this meeting of the Irish Republican Association (Wellington branch) assembled to commemorate tho Declaration of Irish Independence by Dail Kirrean on January Jst., 1919, declares:

(a) Its allegiance to the Republic founded by the memory of Easter Week, 1916, and thrice confirmed by the constitutional action of tho Irish people, and its resolve to continue to work for its international recognition.

(h) Its strong protest against the artificial and unnatural partition of Ireland in the interests of British imperialism. and repudiates the right of any Boundary Commission to divide the Irish Nation in two.

(:•) It further resolves to assist tho Irish people in realising the economic programme of Dail Eireann which affirmed the right of the Irish people to complete ownership and control of tlie nation’s wealth-producing resources.” Copies of the resolution were ordered to ho forwarded to President Do Valera. Hie Irish Republican Association Melbourne; and to the Tress.