THE IRISH QUESTION.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 158, 5 July 1921, Page 6

THE IRISH QUESTION.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—ln the "Star" of June 28 Mr. John Guiniven rejoices at my having fallen into a trap. He is a little too previous. The Presbyterians, or say nonEpiscopaliane, in common with the Roman Catholics, ha_>certain grievances. These grievances have been redressed, and now? The Presbyterians are the backbone of loyalty to Britain in Ireland, and the Roman Catholics were never more discontented. It is Protestantism, rather than Britain, the Sinn Feiners object to. Chief Baron Palles, during the war, told the jurors at Waterford tlieir grievances had been remedied, and they now had the best land laws in the world, and yet they were not doing their share to help their country.

It wiU be time enough for Mr. John Guiniven and friends to boast about Iris_ nationality when they can show that Ireland since history" began ever did anything as a homogeneous entity, a self-sufficing country or nation. During the years of the war Ireland was very prosperous; and had it not been for the Sinn Fein atrocities would have been unprecedentedly happy. Ulster was contented. She did not want a Parliament. Her only desire was to be left alone under British rule. Why did the rest of Ireland avail itself of the same opportunity to have a time of peace and plenty? How foolish these Sinn Feiners are. Given a republic, and they soon would be looking back upon the English connection a s regretfully as the Israelites longed for the fleshpots left in Egypt. In Roman Catholic countries tAe State is gradually absorbing control of education, as witness the recent action of France regarding monastical teaching. Left to themselves the Catholic Irish naturally would quarrel amongst themselves, and probably a party desirous of controlling priestly domination would speedily arise.—l am, etc., W.S. AICKIN.