The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1925. THE IRISH SETTLEMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 December 1925, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1925. THE IRISH SETTLEMENT.

Till-: happiest comment on the Irish situation is that of the London “.Morninn; |>ost.” The paper, to explain the situation, applies remarks in a hiliernicisin “that the honmlary question has keen settled in the only possible way by leaving it unsettled !” There i.s another useful expression by Mr Baldwin winch also helps to explain the position, wherein replying; to a question, lie replied: “We have incurred no new liability !“ The boundary question which flared up so suddenly and brought the Irish situation to the lore, has been the means of creating a new phase, and a fresh milestone in Irish history. The British statesmen hoped that with the settlement of the boundary question, the Irish problem would ho solved. The Free State was agreeable to a Commission. Ulster was not. Ulster was forced into the Commission by special legislation, and then when the Commission was about to report. the Free State representative withdrew, and there was the promise of nations and wigs on the green if the report of the Boundary Commission was published. The Irish question was again to the fore overshadowing even the Locarno Treaty. There were the usual alarms and excursions. Big men passed to and from London, arms were landed in Ireland, the press was noisy, the Republicans very outspoken. Then the whole trouble was mysteriously settled. The settlement is on a ocasli basis. But strange to say. according to the Prime Minister, poor England is not to pay anything. There are no fresh liiihiliti.es incurred. What has happened is a writing off of assets whereon England has some chance of collecting interest, hut practically none of collecting prill ipal. As the London “Dnilv .Mail” remarked, “nobody troubles to pay England.” Debts due by many foreign countries to England go unpaid. England endures it. but makes no default herself. She is a fine old country, and Englishmen must he proud to belong to so just and generous a nation. But of the Irish settlement as it is called, while the boundary question is left unsettled (as appears pleasing to nil) will the Irish problem itself )>e laid? The Republicans are still raging. Mr Cosgrove was able to drive a very good bar

for his countrymen. But there is not any guarantee as yet that it will be

endorsed by Ireland. It would be in keeping with the diameter of Ireland that the great, generous gift which Mr Baldwin and his associates have conceded. would lie rejected. England has done much to prove her bonafides to Ireland, but Albion is still regarded as perfidious. Ireland has a great opportunity now to make good. N'ot onlv is there the relief from gi—

annual expenditure in interest. but there is the chance for the North and South to come together, and in a i-

atmosphere endeavour to work out the national destiny from a common platform. It is a conclusion to be devoutly wished for. Will it come to pass ? If wishes round the I.mpire will help, it should pome quickly. All the venom has now passed out of the Irish problem and the time is well ripe for the realisation of that better understanding, which, obviously, is possible. With coinmonsense and forbearance exercised by all. the great achievement is possible, and then we shall have in reality a true settlement of the Irish question.