IRISH NEGOTIATIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 190, 11 August 1921, Page 5

IRISH NEGOTIATIONS.

LORD BIRKENHEAD'S DEFENCE CONSEQUENCES OF REFUSAL. (By Cable.— Association.—Copyrislit.i ■•«.;,,. (Received 10.30 a.m.*. LONDON, August 10. Lord Birkenhead, speaking in the House of Lords, defended the release of the Dail Eirann mensbers. He believed that under the circumstances tho Government had chosen the right course. If it had refused to enter into negotiations it would have been committed for an indefinite period to a continuance of military and police efforts, but on a far larger scale. No military commander was bold enough to say what time, resources, men, and expenditure would lie required to suppress the rebellion. This might still prove necessary. If so. the position would be confronted. While such preparations were being made they would have seen a continuance of the butchery of the |x)lice and the Crown forces, adding to the long legacy of bitterness. The Government, therefore, would have done a wrong and indefensible thing if it had not negotiated when the Dail Eirann was prepared to negotiate.— (A. and N.Z.)

IRISH LEADERS CONFER. (Received 2.30 p.m.) LONDON", August 10. The Viceroy occupied the Vice-Regal box at the Dublin Horse Show to-day, aud received a hearty reception from the whole attendance. De Valera and Collins conferred at the Mansion House to-day. No statement has been issued. Mciieon and the other provincial members of the Dail Eirann, who were released from prison, have gone to their homes, but arc returning to Dublin next week.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.) DEFENCE FORCE SYSTEM. UNITY WITH BRITAIN. LONDON. August 10. Tt is reliably reported from Dublin that the terms Mr. Lloyd George offered to Je Valera include complete control by Ireland of the police aud Irish taxation, defence to be controlled by the United Kingdom, subject to a mutual understanding with the Northern and Southern Parliaments, with an offer of special facilities for recruiting for Irish regiments in the Imperial Army. It is believed also that Mr. Lloyd George's proposals include one that Ireland shall bear a proportionate share jof the pensions payable on account of the late war.— (Rcuter.)