IRISH FREE STATE.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 February 1922, Page 5

IRISH FREE STATE.

BILL IN THE COMMONS. AMENDMENT REJECTED. THE SECOND READING. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, Feb. 17. In the House of Commons, Sir L. Worthington-Evans resumed the debate, op the second reading of the Irish Free State Bill. He denied that the bargain made under the 1920 Act had been broken; on the contrary Ulster’s position under the Act had been maintained. He submitted concerning the boundary question that it could not be called coercion to consult the wishes of the inhabitants. There should be give and take along the boundary. That should be something Ulster should welcome. The acceptance of Captain Craig’s amendment meant the re--1 j ection o-f the treaty and the betrayal ■ of the Irishmen who signed, as well as of peace in Ireland. I Lord Hugh Cecil thought the Bill should be rejected. It was not a proper method of carrying out the treaty. It was the Governor’s duty to maintain order until the new’ constitution was framed, so as to avoid the dreadful interregnum during which there would be no Government in Ireland at all. Lord Hugh considered that the interpretation of boundaries should be in the Bill. The Government was in the astonishing position that it rested with the boundary commissioner to decide whether it would break faith with the Ulster Government. They were looking on in a state of interested curiosity to see whether the , Government was composed of cheats and liars or not.

Mr. Asquith spoke for a few moments. He hoped the House, by a significant majority, would pass the Bill in the briefest possible time. He urged the Government not to recede from the terms on the boundary question, which was an integral part of the treaty. t Mr. Thomas, on behalf of Labor, urged the adoption of the Bill. He said the chief difficulty confronting Messrs. Griffiths and Collins was not Mr. de Valera’s followers, but the advocates of a Soviet Republic. Mr. Chamberlain wound up the debate, saying that if the struggle was renewed it would mean civil war of the worst kind, namely guerilla war. They were prepared to undertake it if necessary, but though right was crying for an honorable settlement he wanted no mistake as to the vote they were givingj It was for a decision in favor of the treaty with the boundary commission in it. The interpretation of the boundary article rested with the commission. Our only share in it would be the appointment of a chairman of unimpeachable reputation commanding the confidence of both parties. Captain Craig’s amendment was rejected by 302 votes to 80. The Bill was read a second time and referred to a committee of the whole House.