IRISH PEACE.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 January 1922, Page 5

IRISH PEACE.

MORE PROGRESS MADE.. AGREEMENT WITH ULSTER. IMPORTANT DECISIONS. By Talegrapb.—Press Assn.—c&Dyrlfht. Received Jan. 22, 11.5 pin. London, Jan. 21. Mr. Michael Collins (head of the provisional Government) and Sir James Craig (Premier of Ulster), after conferring, announced that they had reached the following agreement: (1) The appointment of a boundary commission as outlined in the treaty, the Governments of the Free State and Ulster to appoint one each, to report to Mr. Collins and Sir James Craig, who will mutually agree on future boundaries. (2) Without prejudice to the Free State’s subsequent consideration of tariffs Mr. Collins undertakes that the Belfast boycott will be discontinued immediately. Sir Jas. Craig undertakes to facilitate in every way the return of Catholic workmen to the Belfast shipyards as soon as a revival of trade enables the firms to absorb the present unemployed. In the meantime a large scale system of relief is being arranged to cover the period of distress. (3) Representatives of both Governments to unite in order to facilitate the settlement of the railway dispute. (4) The two Governments to endeavor to devise a more suitable system than a council of Ireland for dealing with problems affecting all Ireland.

(5) The parties agree to meet subsequently and discuss the question of an amnesty to post-truce prisoners. The newspapers applaud the comprehen-. sive and far-reaching agreement between Mr. Collins and Sir James Craig as opening up a prospect of a lasting peace in Ireland.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

SINN FEIN DEFIANT. STILL WANTS A REPUBLIC. THE NEW CONSTITUTION. Received Jan. 22, 5.5 p.m. London, Jan. 20. Mr. de Valera, as president of Sinn Fein, has given notice of motion in the Sinn Fein congress: ‘‘That the aim of Sinn Fein will be, as before, to secure international recognition of Ireland as an independent republic;, that Sinn Fein put forward at the forthcoming election candidates pledged not to take the oath of fidelity to the British King and not to own allegiance to him.” The Daily News states the Irish’ provisional Government is appointing a constitutional committee to draw up the constitution of the Free State. It has been assumed by official circles in London that the joint committee to draw up the constitution will be composed of British Ministers and Ministers of the provisional Irish Government, but the latter will not agree to such a plan, and will refuse to accept anything less than the right to frame the Irish constitution within the four corners of the treaty without British interference, basing this right on the fundamental difference between the treaty, which is an agreement between two nations, and an Act of Parliament conferring self-govern-ment on a Dominion.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ' VALUE OF THE AGREEMENT. NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR IRELAND. Received Jan. 22, 5.5 p.m. London, Jan. 20. The Premier, addressing a Liberal conference, said Irish liberty had been established with the Empire and there would be no difficulties to face, but the good sense of the Irish people would enable them to triumph and help to develop a prosperous Ireland, permitting her to take her place among rhe free nations of the Empire. The settlement arrived at was by no means the work of one man. It could not have been done without the combined efforts of the six men on the committee, supported by their colleagues. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.