IRISH AFFAIRS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3655, 17 December 1920, Page 5

IRISH AFFAIRS.

BISHOP COLAHAN'S DECREE. EXCOMMUNICATION FOR LAWLESS. Received 11 a.m. LONDON, Dec. 16. The Times' Dublin correspondent states that Bishop' Colahan's decree threatening to excommunicate all taking part in ambushes, kidnapping and murder has startled the country. The vast importance of the issue is recognised, and it is expected the Catholic Hierarchy will recognise the necessity for a clear definition of its attitude, spiritual political, and moral, towards the Republicans, which will not fail to effect profoundly the whole character of the s|tuation. The Labour Partjjfjs' calling off of the railway strike is a bright spot in the situation. The strike was a complete failure, and did not embarrass the military but dislocated trade in threefourths of Ireland and did immense harni to the cattle industry. One good effect was that it sobere'd the extremists in the west and south of Ireland, causing recognition of a possible political settlement.

The Cork correspondent of the Times states that the Cork Chamber of Commerce has written" to Sir~Hamar Greenwood expressing astonishment at his statement in the House of Commons regarding the destruction in Cork, and demanding a personal investigation on the spot, promising incontrovertible evidence. They demand that the Government make good the damage done.

THE LABOUR COMMISSION. LONDON Dec. 16. > The National Exectuive of the Labour Party is calling a special conference on the 2JBth inst. to inaugurate a national campaign with a view to an Irish peace and a permanent settlement on the linos formulated by the Labour Party in its report which the Commission -of ISffqtftry on Ireland will present.