IRELAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 December 1921, Page 5

IRELAND.

ULSTER OFFER. READY FOR CONFERENCE. By Telegraph-—Press Assn.—Copyrigtt. Received Nov. 30, 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. 29. Sir James Craig said: “If Sinn Fein will show common, sense we will begin with a small Parliament as we did. We are prepared to hold a round-table discussion on matters vital to Ulster, and enter into trade relations and compete whether the North or the South shall produce the better government.”—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. “BIG SEVEN” MEET. CONFERENCE WITH SINN FEIN. Received Nov. 30, 7.30 p.m. London, Nov. 29. Sir James Craig’s statement in the Ulster Parliament did not surprise Downing Street. Mr. Lloyd George, foreseeing the trend of events, had already prepared an alternative scheme. Directly Sir James Craig’s speech was published Mr. Lloyd George called a meeting of the “Big Seven”, and unfolded the new scheme to Mr. Austen. Chamberlain, Lord Birkenhead, Mr. Winston Churchill, Sir Gordon Hewart, Sir Ham ar Greenwood and Sir L. Worthington Evans. After an hour’s discussion they called in the Sinn Fein delegation, including Messrs. Griffiths and Collins. The discussion lasted two hours. Later an official announcement was made that the meeting had taken place.

It is understood the new proposals will be handed to Sir James Craig well within the week mentioned in his speech.