IRISH CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 168, 16 July 1921, Page 7

IRISH CONFERENCE.

THE RESUMED DISCUSSION. SIR J. CRAIG TO ATTEND. CBy Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.! LONDON Jxily 15, It is officially announced that Mr. Lloyd George and Kamonn de Valera met to-day and freely exchanged their views on their relative positions*, which were defined. No others were present at the conference. The conversation will be resumed to-morrow morning, when Sir J. Oaig, Premier of Northern Ireland, will join the conference. On receiving a telegram from Mr. Lloyd George, Sir .1. Craig left Belfast immediately for London. The meeting between Mr Lloyd George and De Valera lasted two and si-half hours. 'Die result thus not been announced. Whitehall was crowded, and the delegation had an enthusiastic reception, at the citrance to Downing Street knelt as the delegates passed, and recited the Rosary and sang hymns.— (A, and N.Z. Cable.) RIOTING IN BELFAST. MURDER AND LOOTING. (Received 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, July 15. Further rioting occurred in Belfast late last night, when v ne person \vas killed and between 30 and 40 wounded. A licensed house was burned and looted, and much sharpshoofing occurred. —(A. and N.Z. Ofcble.) MR. LLOYD GEORGE'S HOPES. TRIBUTE TO THE KING. LONDON July 15. Mr. Lloyd George unexpectedly attended a dinner given in honour of xMr. C. A. McCurdy. M.P. The Prime Minister was received with acclamation from the 600 present. He said he had reported the proceedings of his conference with De Valera to the King, wliose intervention had made so much possible. The King must be given credit f° r having done one of the greatest services to the world. (Applause.) Mr. Lloyd George proceeded to discuss the future of the Coalition, and twitted Independent Liberals with notj desiring a general election. There had been, he said, a remarkable change in the last few weeks. The human tempest seemed to be subsiding?" There was a spirit of conciliation in the industrial world, and a better outlook between omplovere and workers. There was also a remarkable transformation in Ireland, 'but the less said about that the better. (Shouts of "Go on.") Mr. Lloyd George continued: No. you must not tempt mc to indiscretions at this juncture, but it is a fact that De Velera, the chieftain of a vast majority of the Irish people, has been in confers ence with the British Prime Minister, discussing methods and suggestions for settlement of a long, bitter, and wasteful feud. We will meet again to-morrow, and it is to be hoped we shall secure, peace. (Loud cheers.) Lord Midleton denies the statement made by the "Morning Post" that he and De Valera have provisionally agreed to terms to be demanded of the British Government, including Dominion Home Rule. No such question, he states, was discussed at his meeting with the Sinn Fein leaders in Dublin. The Sinn Fein has issued a similar denial. Mr. Massey is receiving cablegrams from New Zealand which assume that the conference of Prime Ministers is participating in the Irish negotiations. Mr" Masscy reiterates that th« conference has not intervened in regard to the Irish question, either individually or collectively, with the exception of General Smuts.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.) SHOOTING IN BELFAST. LONDON July 15. j Revolver firing continued in the York Street district of Belfast to-night. A 14-year-old girl was killed and two and two civilians were wounded, including Mr. William Gray, a Labour Unionist member for North Belfast in the Northern Irish Parliament, who was shot in the chest.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.)