IRISH AFFAIRS.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 March 1922, Page 5

IRISH AFFAIRS.

THE TREATY TO STAND. ELECTIONS IN JUNE. A PLEBISCITE WANTED. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyrigtt. London, Feb. 27. Official—The Irish elections will probably be delayed six or seven weeks. Mr. Churchill, in the House of Commons, said the result of the week-end Irish Conference had been satisfactory and reassuring. The Irish Ministers in no way receded from the treaty, and their opposition to the Republican Party continued unabated. The Provisional Government was afraid it was desirable that the Irish people should have the new constitution before them as well as the treaty and their opponents in these circumstances agreed that the election should be facilitated. The election would now be held early in June. All that was necessary was a simple amendment to the Free State Bill to provide for an election within four months. The technical committee of the Provisional Government was now drafting the constitution. The Irish Labor Party lias written to Messrs. Griffith and Collins demanding a plebiscite on the treaty before the elections, declaring that a clear decision for or against the treaty was impossible in an election campaign raising many questions. As the result of Sinn Fein raids on the Ulster border claims have been submitted for malicious injury to property in the Clogher Valley totalling £28,000. THE IRISH BILL. DISCUSSION IN COMMONS. Received Feb. 28, 5.5 p.m. London, Feb. 27. In the House of Commons, Mr. A. Chamberlain said he proposed to allocate Thursday for the committee stage of the Irish Bill. He hoped to take the other stages next week. POLICE BARRACKS FAIDED. London, Feb. 27. A hundred armed men raided the police barracks at Clonmel and carried off in a motor car rifles and ammunition. They forced the garrison to assist in loading the booty.