Taranaki Daily News. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1921 SOLUTION OF IRISH PROBLEM.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 December 1921, Page 4

Taranaki Daily News. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1921 SOLUTION OF IRISH PROBLEM.

Great as were the services of Mr. Lloyd George to the Empire during the war, and since, his crowning achievement will assuredly be recorded in history as being the solution of the age-long Irish problem that has hitherto baffled the efforts of all British statesmen, but has finally yielded to the Premier’s tenacity of purpose, tact and conciliatory methods. He undertook what seemed to most, people an impossible task, yet never did he display the least sign of dismay at rebuffs and almost insuperable obstacles to success. With dogged pertinacity he persevered in his task, and at last the ardently desired agreement was reached on terms that secured the unanimous approval, of his colleagues in the Cabinet. The part, played by King George, if not so prominent as the Premier’s, was equally stimulating and useful, and it is quite possible that his proved sympathy with the Irish and their aspirations exercised an influence that reconciled the Sinn Heiners to the formula of allegiance that had proved such a formidable barrier to an agreement being reached. The problem has for sueh a length of time been regarded as beyond power of solution that even now it is difficult for many to believe that a real peace has been made. Fortunate ly the terms arranged are sueh that no big or vital point of principle remains as a possible elementof rupture. It was inevitable there would be bargaining and compromises, but. as soon as the question of allegiance was settled, the last bar to the success of the long series of discussions was removed, and the way to permanent peace and reconciliation made clear. As both sides have agreed to recommend the new scheme to their respective Cabinets, with the view of expediting its acceptance in order to create peace at the earliest opportunity, the prospect of an early settlement seems bright with promise. Mr. Lloyd George has gone to the utmost limit in the matter of concessions, and his adamant attitude over the matter of allegiance has borne fruit. Naturally interest now centres chiefly on Ulster’s action, although Mr. Lloyd George does not anticipate difficulty in that quarter, as her rights have been carefully safeguarded. At the same time, while the main settlement between Sinn Fein and Britain will not, it is asserted, be affected by a refusal on the part of Ulster, the settlement, must have the approval of both the British and Ulster Parliaments. No coercion will be applied to Ulster, nor will the guarantees she requires be departed from, either in the letter or in the spirit, besides which every facility will be provided for Ulster to reach an agreement with the Sinn Fein Government regarding internal affairs. The Ulster Parliament will do well to place the coping stone on the agreement arrived at, and pave the way for a new era of conciliation in place of the strife of the past. With regard to Mr. De Valera, whose recent bellicose speeches have caused the greatest disquietude even in moderate Sinn Fein circles, it will doubtless be a disappointment to him that his efforts to establish a Republic have failed. He has now an opportunity of proving whether he is a true friend of Ireland or not. It is to be hoped he will rise to the occasion and prove worthy of leadership in the right, direction, but it will need vastly different qualities and temperament to those he has I exhibited. Britain has done her part, in a way that should be a shining example to Ulster and SUin and it will be to the in-

terest of both to follow that lead in the same spirit of altruism. It is certain that the whole of the great Empire, in which Ireland holds a. worthy place, will rejoice with one accord at ijie consummation of tha,t reconciliation which will obliterate the memories of past troubles and add to the renown and influence of the Commonwealth of nations forming the British Empire.