The Daily News. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1922. THE IRISH CONSTITUTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 December 1922, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1922. THE IRISH CONSTITUTION.

The passing of the Irish Constitution by Imperial Parliamentmarks an important advance towards the new’ era of peace and good government which that country has long awaited. It is matter for deep regret that a small faction of malcontents are still engaged in a guerilla warfare, but there are not wanting indications that the time is not far distant when tihe country will be cleared of these republican revolutionaries, especially as aeroplanes are now being employed to cope with the evil. Another good omen for Ireland’s future is the

acceptance by Mr. Tim Healy of the Governor-Generalship, for there are few, if any, Irish patriots who more thoroughly understand and sympathise with the aims and aspirations of the Irish people. His declaration, before returning from London to Ireland, that “Britain had acted with scrupulous honor, and that nine-ty-nine per cent, of the Irish are pro-Treaty, and the only remaining formidable difficulty is the roving armed bands, which now will be quickly settled, ,J justifies i a firm faith in the future of the ■ country, besides engendering eon-, ! fidence in the success of self-gov- , eminent, It, is interesting to re- | call that when King George’s i message of January 22, 1799, re- ■ lative to the question of a legisla-; .

tive union between Britain and Ireland was taken into consideration by the Commons at "Westminster, the amendment moved by Mr. Sheridan was negatived without a division, While the amendment by Mr. Ponsonby, in answer to the Royal speech .at Dublin, was carried by a majority of five. That amendment declared “the intention of maintaining the right of the people of Ireland to a free and independent legislature resident within the kingdom.’’ It has taken nearly a century and a quarter for Ireland to obtain a Constitution of real self-government wherein not one, but two, legislatures are to be in operation. The principle which was laid down in 1801 that “the kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland shall for ever after be united into one,” still holds good, though the conditions are vastly different. Ireland is a unit of the British Empire on the same footing as the Dominions, being entitled to manage her own affairs and work out her own destiny. Over the happenings during the last century it is advisable to draw a veil. Though the many serious troubles are not likely to be for-

gotten for many a long day, time is the healer of such wounds. It is on the present and the future that interest now centres. Ireland, having entered upon a most liberal measure of self-government, has now to prove worthy of the trust. She has given to the world in the •past some of the foremost and most distinguished statesmen, warriors and leaders of thought and action, and this fact justifies the hope that in the future she will be equally noted for the ability of her leading sons to guide the country into that, peace and prosperity for which it has long yearned, and' the attainment o'." which will cause the Dominions to rejoice, and bid her hearty welcome as one of their number. What the Dominions have done, Ireland can do, possibly even on a higher plane. At all events tl e opportunity has arrived, and the greater the success which is attained by the Irish people in their self-government, the greater will be the satisfaction of the people comprising' the remainder of the Empire.

The Melbourne’s suits now showing create new standards of value. Prices to-dav are much lower than they were this time last year for similar goods. Men and youths will find at this store well tailored suits in a splendid variety of fabrics, cut and finished in the most approved style, at prices which are keenly competitive. Inspection is invited. ' L. A. Nolan and Co. advertise in this issue a sale of furniture on account of Mrs. S. Herrick, Vogeltown. The catalogue comprises some very nice pieces, and. la worth inspection.