The Daily News. MONDAY, JUNE 27, 1921. THE KING’S APPEAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 June 1921, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, JUNE 27, 1921. THE KING’S APPEAL.

The opening of the Northern Irish Parliament by His Majesty King George, and the presence of the Queen at the historic ceremony, stand out as a great object lesson as to the manner in which the calls of duty are interpreted by the Royal Family. It was an occasion of such importance that the King felt he could not entrust the performance of the ceremony to a deputy, and this high sentiment will surely appeal to all his people. There were reasons which would have completely justified their Majesties in postponing their visit to Ireland at the present, time, but these weighed as nothing compared with the call of duty and the desire to take part in a step that it is hoped may lead to the solution of the agelong Irish problems. Moreover, it afforded an opportunity for the King and Queen to show their faith and trust in the Irish people and give practical evidence of their profound sympathy and fervent desire for peace. It was not merely as King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland that our Sovereign went to inaugurate the Northern Parliament, but as head of the great Empire on which the sun never sets. How deeply King George felt the responsibility which devolved upon him is plainly evident through a speech remarkable for its intense fervor and simplicity, and he said no more than tbe truth when stating that “everything which touched Ireland found an echo in the remotest parts of the Empire. Few things are more earnestly desired throughout the English-speaking world than a satisfactory solution of “the age-long Irish problem.” It can only be by putting the Irish question on this world-wide basis that its true perspective can be gauged. It removes the matter from the mere local aspect affecting merely England and Ireland, and brings it into the larger and more fitting plane of Empire concern and Empire partnership. The Irish people, even the most perturbed section, have not and have never had any cause to regard the Empire with other than friendliness. They are welcomed and esteemed in every part of the Overseas Dominions, so that when King George said: “No wish is nearer to my heart than that every Irishman, of whatever creed, wherever his home, should loyally co-operate with the free communities on which the Empire is based,” he struck a chord which should vibrate in every Irishman’s heart, and enunciated a principle that should go far towards solving the problem of amity and peace. With a full heart. His Majesty not only tendered the olive branch for acceptance, but gave utterance to a devout prayer for the ending of strife, and an eloquent appeal for “forbearance and conciliation, to forgive and forget, and to join in making for the laud they love a new era of peace and goodwill.” Whatever differences may exist with regard to the Union of Britain and Ireland can be dissipated by merely changing the position of the matter so that it will have an Empire character. If that transformation can be effected it should not be long before the head of the Empire is called upon to open a Southern Parliament, while if the Empire spirit is rightly fostered, it is not unreasonably optimistic to look forward to a single Parliament for the whole of Ireland, “loyally cooperating with the free communities on which the Empire is based.” King George has once more proved a worthy head of the great Empire over which he reigns, and that Empire rejoices in his latest peace-making effort, and sincerely hopes it will bear fruit in due season.