ICELAND’S INDEPENDENCE

Taihape Daily Times, 10 February 1919, Page 7

ICELAND’S INDEPENDENCE

A bill ratifying the Danish-Icelandia Federal Union has t’ce.i introduced in the Danish Dower House by the Prime Minister. The Bill was passed Diet by 37 votes to 2 and by a referdum which cast 12,500 votes against about 1000. Colonised by Norwegian chiefs as a republic in the ninth century, conquered by Norway later, and from the 14th century ruled as a Danish province, Iceland had from time to time nourished claims to independence, which resulted in IS *4 in her obtaining a Parliament. Dissatisfaction with the rule from Denmark continued to grow in subsequent years, until it culminated last year in a movement for separation. The matter was made the subject of negotiation between Denmark and Iceland, and last July a bill was introduced making Iceland on independent and sovereign Stale federally united with Dcnni'ark.