SINN FEIN IN COUNCIL

Taranaki Daily News, 20 August 1921, Page 5

SINN FEIN IN COUNCIL

ITS ANSWER DELAYED. PROTRACTED DISCUSSION. A PLEBISCITE POSSIBLE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. ’ Received August 19, 8.30 p.m.

London, August 18. In view of the position concerning the Irish question, the Government has decided to defer the prorogation of Parliament until October 18, but will adjourn to-morrow, the Speaker having power to summon Parliament at short notice.

There is no prospect of the Dail Eireann considering the British offer this week. To-day was spent in secret session listening to departmental reports, which were debated at considerable length. The Dail Eireann declines to consider the British offer out of its proper order, and when it is reached a long discussion is expected. The Daily News’ special correspondent ! at Dublin says the irreconcilable members of the Dail Eireann may win, but there is sure to be a struggle, probably not for the acceptance of the present terms, but over suggestions which might lead to a plebiscite. The most important point in connection with the latter would be whether the Irish Republican Army would permit the free expression of opinion, or repeat the methods employed at the recent elections. Ireland is living under a military dictatorship, and unless a plebiscite can be really free in its expression it would be worse than useless. A suggestion now widely discussed here is the question of referring the whole problem to a special commission appointed by the League of Nations, with a chairman nominated by the United States Government.—-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

PROTEST AT THE OFFER. CONSERVATIVE POLITICIANS. Received August 19, 9.5 p.m. London, August 18. A meeting of a number of Conservative members of the House of Commons and Press, including Lord Ampthill, Lord Selborne, Lord Sydenham, Lord Northumberland, Lord Salisbury, Brigadier-General H. Page-Croft, and Sir F. Banbury, adopted a resolution profoundly dissenting from the far-reaching offer which the Government made to De Valera, including the maintenance of the Sinn Fein army. The offer is described as a complete reversal of the decisions of Parliament, as embodied in the Act which was only passed in December last. IRISH PRESS VIEWS. HOPEFUL NOTE SOUNDED. London, August 18. Commenting on De Valera’s speech on Wednesday, the Irish Times says: “We take into account human nature in the Sinn Feiners as well as in the Irish Unionists. We do not question the Dail Eireann’s patriotism or readiness to make sacrifices, and hope that its patriotism may be informed with wisdom, not requiring the Irish people to make immense sacrifices to no useful end. De Valera’s speech suggests that a deadlock has been reached. If so the time has arrived to refer the Government’s offer to the Irish people, who are entitled to be consulted in an extremity concerning the life and peace of every man, woman and child.” The Irish Independent rejoices that De Valera’s statement reveals no suggestion that the negotiations are likely to be terminated.