IRELAND'S LOSS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 August 1922, Page 4

IRELAND'S LOSS.

The sudden death of the Irish patriot, Arthur Griffith, will come as a severe blow to all well-wishers of Ireland, though it may act as a consolidating influence on the Free State Government,as well as an inspiration to bring to ft successful conclusion the pacification of the country. As one of those who took part in the negotiations with British Ministers in fixing the terms of peace, the late Arthur Griffiths was associated with a chapter of Irish history that practically commenced a new era, in which self-government, on terms of exceptional generosity, gave the Irish nation the opportunity to work out its own destiny, remain an important'unit of the great British Empire ,wipe out the bitter memories of the past, and prove to , the ,world that, at heart, the Irish nation can rise to greatness when freed from irksome control and clothed with a measure of self-government that has ( enabled New Zealand and the other Do-j minions to attain the status of nation-i hood, strong in loyalty to. the Throne,' yet animated by the spirit of stalwart independence. In all respects the sphit of Ireland and of the Dominions should !be similar, and, if all go well, will be. Few there may be who ever thought it possible that a Sinn Fein leader would become an active' co-operator in bringing peace to Ireland, but Arthur Griffith’s patriotism was of that order which can make sacrifices . when needed, and his memorable example in rising above all petty considerations of faction and joining hands with others in the work of launching and maintaining an Irish Free State entitles him to the admiration of civilisation. Unhappily this leader of the Sinn Fein Parliament has passed away before the work in which he was engaged had been brougnt to fruition, but not before he must have felt absolute confidence that in the near future the remaining sparks of the rebellion headed by his former colleague (de Valera) have been extinguished, and the Free State become a permanent reality. The generous appreciation expressed by Mr. Lloyd George of Mr. Griffith’s “single-minded patriotism, ability, sin*

cerity and courage,” will find an echo throughout the (Empire. Tried by a test that was intensely crucial, Arthur; Griffith emerged a tower of strength io his country, and there is little doubt that all true Irishmen will always reverence his memory “as one of Ireland’s most loyal, gifted, and courageous sons.” The nearest parallel that history furnisher to the laying down of arms against Britain and becoming loyal co-operators in the unity of the Empire, is to be found in the action of the South African leaders, than whom it would be difficult to find more loyal upholders of Imperial unity. It is the impelling force of such men as the late Arthur Griffith which. acta as an incentive to others to take up and continue the work of nationbuilding on safe and sure lines. Mr. Griffith merely changed his unbounded ardor and energy from one direction to another, and the moment he quitted the part of destroyer and took up the role of nation-builder, he joined the ranks of that illustrious band of men who through succeeding ages, have helped to make the British Empire what it is today. Ireland, in the past, has been the one portion of Greater Britain that needed a new constitution, and now that hae been conceded it is as if a canker had been removed from the Imperial body. It may seem somewhat premature to regard the work of the peacemakers, so far as Ireland is concerned, as concluded, but it may fairly be claimed it is well in hand, as the bulk of the Irish people accept the new order of government, and when they have given it a fair trial, there is little doubt as to their being content to carry on the patriotic work in which Arthur Griffith was engaged, When, all too soon, the call came, and his labors ceased, and it is for others to bring that work to fruition.