ATTITUDE OF ULSTER.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 August 1921, Page 5

ATTITUDE OF ULSTER.

HELP TOWARDS PEACE. ALLEGIANCE TO BRITAIN. WILL NOT MEET DE VALERA. Received August 15, 7.45 p.m. London, August 14. Sir James Craig (Premier of Northern Ireland) writes to Mr. Lloyd George as follows: “In order that you may correctly understand the attitude we propose to adopt it is necessary to remind* you of the sacrifices we recently made in agreeing to self-government and consenting to the establishment of a Parliament for Northern Ireland. It was much against our wish, but in the interests of peace we accepted this as a final settlement of a long outstanding difficulty confronting Great Britain. We are now engaged, in ratifying our part of the bargain, while Irishmen outside the Northern area have chosen to repudiate the Government of Ireland and press Great Britain for greater powers. “To join in such pressure is repugnant to the people of Northern Ireland and in the further interests of peace we decline to interfere with the terms made between Britain and South Ireland. It cannot then be said that Ulster blocks the way. Our acceptance of your original invitation to meet in conference holds good; if our assistance be again desired, we are available, but I am bound to acquaint you with the fact that a meeting is impossible between De Valera and myself until he recognises that Northern Ireland will not submit to any authority other than that of the King and the Parliament of the United Kingdom, and until he admits the sanctity of the existing powers and privileges of the Parliament and Government of Northern Ireland. Peace is as earnestly desired by my Government as by yours. We have nothing left to give away and we are prepared when you and De Valera arrive at a satisfactory settlement to co-operate with the South on equal terms for the future welfare of our common country.”—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.