TNE IRISH BILL.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 March 1922, Page 5

TNE IRISH BILL.

SCENE IN THE COMMONS.

ULSTERMEN WITHDRAW.

BITTER AT TREATMENT. Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright Received March 7, 5.5 p.m. London, March 6. In the House of Commons the debate in committee on the Irish Free State Bill was continued. Mr. T. Moles (Unionist member for Belfast) moved an amendment providing that the Crown’s representative ahouid not exercise jurisdiction or authority over Northern Ireland. Mr. Churchill said that, while he could not accept the amendment in its present form, he recognised that if Ulster contracted out, separate arrangements must be made to meet Ulster’s views. Mr. Churchill said the treaty made a separate arrangement for such an event.

Mr. Moles’ amendment was withdrawn.

Mr. Churchill then moved the closure of the sub-section, which was carried, despite Ulster members’ angry protest against the gag. Later Mr. Churchill refused to accept other amendments.

Captain C. Craig (Unionist member for Antrim) said that he ref used to take part in further discussion while the Government refused to alter a single line of the Bill at the request of Ulster members, yet when the Sinn Feiners in Dublin passed a resolution necessitating a change the Government immediately agreed.

All the Ulstermen thereupon walked out. one crying, “We will debate the Bill elsewhere.” Amendments were carried extending the time to four mdnths for the South Irish elections, and after this several Commoners who gave notice of amendments declined to move them as a protest against rhe action of the Government regarding previous amendments. The Bill was passed.—Aub.-NJZ. Cable 4ssn. MORE TROUBLE IN BELFAST. SERIOUS FIGHTING. London, March 6. Renewed heavy fighting is reported in Belfast. One pereson was kilW and 15 wounded. The victims include two soldiers. ' The week-end casualties were two killed and 25 wounded. Hughes was deliberately murdered, and his assailants escaped in the tram in the confusion. Three men entered the Belfast CoOperative Society’s premises in Falls Road and ordered a vanman named Kidd to go outside. Kidd, refusing, was Shot and left dying. At Swineford, Mayo, a disguised man entered the home of Sergeant O’Dowd, who was sitting with his wife at the fireside. The intruder fired at O'Dowd, whose wife sprang up and held a chair between her husband and the intruder. The latter fired through the chair and then shot Mrs. O’Dowd, piercing her lung. Two other shots struck her husband. Mrs. O'Dowd is in a critical condition, and her husband is in a serious condition, but is expected to recover. PRISON FOR CARRYING ARMS. Received March 8, 1-5 a.m. London, March 7. The County Down Assizes imposed sentences ranging from 3 years to 6 years’ penal servitude for unlawful possession of arms.