THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 December 1921, Page 5

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

A STRENUOUS SITTING. RESULT SENT TO DUBLIN. By Telegraph.—Press Assn —CopvHghL Ijondon, Dee. 2. Last night was the most strenuous since the Irish negotiations opened. Mr. Lloyd George’s alternative scheme was submitted to Sinn Fein. The negotiations began at 6.30, but, as a consequence ol the amendments suggested bySinn Fein, the conference lasted on and of! till the early hours of the morning. Messrs. Duggan and Duffy took the final draft to Dublin, and Messrs. Griffiths and Collins follow them to-day. The Dail Eireann’s reply is expected on Monday. If the proposals are rejected they will not be sumbitted to Ulster. THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE. The Manchester •Guardian’s well-in-formed political correspondent declare? that the negotiations are in danger of collapsing, mainly on-the question of personal allegiance, Sinn Feiners contending that the oath ought to be to the Irish Constitution. Irishmen., unfortunately, the Correspondent says, imagine that the oa'h of allegiance to Britain implies the right of interference in Ireland’s domes;..c life, stamping the country as a daughter, instead of a sister State. Though such scruples appear pedantic and most formal in view of the uniformity of the oath used throughout the Empire, which does not entail Imperial interference in Dominion affairs, nevertheless they are conscientious obstacles. Ireland is willing to associate with Britain on terras securing her own safety. We are making the form of the oath of allegiance a capital issue, when it is really unimportant.