THE IRISH PROBLEM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17033, 18 June 1917, Page 5

THE IRISH PROBLEM

AMNESTY FOE REBELS. official announcement. DEBATE IN PARLIAMENT. Press Association—By Telegraph:—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Renter. LONDON, June 15. All the Irish rebels are to be released. LONDON, June 15. :

Mr Bonar Law, in the House of Com- ; " mons, announced a general amnesty for Irish rebels. Jime 16. (Received June 17, at 5.5 p.m.)_ - • In the House of Commons Mr Bonar Law said the Government, after long and ■ careful consideration, had decided to grant y an amnesty. The governing consideration ' was the approaching convention, at which • it was hoped the Irishmen would settle a difficult problem regarding the future ad- ■- ministration of their country. • This great experiment marked new relations between Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the Empire. It was very desirable that the - ' convention should assemble in an atmosphere of goodwill, and the Government -v had therefore decided to remove one cause of, serious misunderstanding. It was inspired with the sanguine hope that its action would be welcomed in the spirit in which the offer was made, and it consti- > tuted a good augury for a much-desired reconciliation.

Mr Devlin expressed gratitude, but said the Government would have been better advised if it had come to its decision/ earlier.. The Government would then have avoided much irritation.' ' . . '>

Mr Samuel said the Government had ■ made a wise decision, which would be regarded as an earnest of the Government's' desire to end a long period of quarrelling \ between the two peoples. ■; Mr J." G. "Wardle said he hoped the past" would be forgotten. 1 The debate was adjourned.