IRISH-AFFAIRS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3648, 8 December 1920, Page 5

IRISH - AFFAIRS.

THE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. MR HENDERSON'S RETURN. AN ARMISTICE SUGGESTED. IRELAND TIRED OF STRIFE. LONDON, Dec. 6. Mr Henderson returned unexpectedly to London, leading the remainder of the Labour delegation in Ireland. Mr Henderson, interviewed, said: "I have come into contact with every school of thought in Ireland — political, religious, and economic. All are tired of strife and want peace. My firm conviction is that the present moment offers an excellent opportunity for the settlement which has been so frequently urged. The existing reign of terror must cease before negotiations begin. Everything should be done to secure a period of comparative quiet, wherein all acts of violence official and unofficial should cease. A definite effort should be made officially to arrange terms of an armistice during which a conference between representatives of the British Government and the Irish people should be held. I have reason to know that if these suggestions are acted upon, the full rights of the heads of the Roman Catholic Church and organised labour in Ireland would be used to secure the cessation of lawlessness."

Mr Henderson added that he hopes to lay his proposals 'Before Mr Lloyd George. ,

FATHER AUTHORIT?*

LONDON, Deo. 6. Mr Kenworthy asked Mr Lloyd George whether Father Flanagan spoke with authority. Mr Lloyd George replied: That is what I want to know* The Govern-ment-is prepared to discujsis withHanyr body authorised to speak for Ireland, proposals which would bring peace. POINTS TO BE SETTLED. AS A PRELUDE* TO PEACE. SUBJECT OF REPUBLIC BAERBD. LONDON, Dec. 7. The Daily News believes progress is being made, but points out that a truce must first be arranged involving a settlement of important subjects, such as the murder campaign, the withdrawal of the military and the release of many Sinn Feiners. Only then can negotiations for.a settlement begin, but any discussion could not includ<e the question of a Republic. That subject is barred. The most hopeful lines of procedure would be the exclusion of "Ulster and the grant o*f fiscal; autonomy to the Dublin Parliament-

THE HOME RULE BILL CROWN COLONY PROPOSAL REJECTED. LONDON, Dec. 4 7. The House of Lords, by 5.1 votes to 50,; carried Lord Salisbury's motion deleting fie clause in the Home Rule Bill providing Crown Colony government for Southern Ireland. TIMBER SOLD BY AUCTION A BOAED OF TEADE WARNING. The attention of the Board of Trade has been drawn to the fact that sales of timber have recently taken place by auction. Apparently the timber so sold is delivered to the purchaser without producing any evidence that a permit for the work proposed to be done has been granted under the building regulations. The building regulations provide that any person delivering timber without being satisfied by a statement in writing that it is to be used for \ work for which a permit has been granted, and, also

nayperson receiving such timber for use in any work' for which a permit has not been granted, are equally liable to penalties. These provisions of the regulations have appieation to all deliveries of timber, whether such timber has been purchased by auction or private sale. It appears that auctioneers and others are not aware of the position, and attention is therefore directed to their responsibilities under the Building regulations, as any infringement will result in proceedings being instituted.