ULSTER AND SOUTH.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 24, 30 January 1922, Page 5

ULSTER AND SOUTH.

AN END OF PAST HORRORS. U«ITY IN DISTANT I'UTtKE. (Bj Cable.—Press Association.— Cojyrtiht.) LONDON, January 29. Sir James Craig (Premier of Northern 1 reland), speaking at a luncheon given by the Unionist Council, said that the pact with Mr. Collins inferred recognition liy the Irish Free State of Ulster as an entity and its Government as one with which it could confer. When he conferred with Mr. Collins ho had not any idea of a specifier agreement, but was seeking to lay past horrors and encourage best elements throughout the laud. They liad signed a joint document which, he claimed, was to Ireland's credit. His recognition of the Government of the Irish Free State would enable the levelheaded elements in the South of Ireland to rally to the suport of Mr. Collins' Government, which at least was endeavouring to restore order and to stawtj off separation and the setting up of a republic. He could promise that an agreement would be reached regarding boundaries without disturbing residents who desired to join either the Free State or Ulster. He would never consent to any rearrangement that would reduce Ulster's present area. The British Government had agreed that in any arrangement for compeneation for malicious injuries Ulster would not be treated wcrrse than the South. The old Ulster regiments would not be scrapped, and the glorious traditions of the Irish Constabulary would be carried on by the lister Constabulary. He believed that l"lstor"s entry into the Free State lay in the far distant future, liut his programme was to bury the past ajid to build up an Ulster which would be the envy of the South and West in order that the people of those parts would be happy to co-operate with Ulster.—<A. and N.Z. Cable.) PARTIES IN IRELAND. DE VALERA AT PARIS CONGRESS. (Received 11.30 .a.m.) PARIS, January 29. The Irish Congress, amidst cheers, unanimously elected Eamonn de Valera president, after the latter had stated that he would only accept office provided the position did not carry any political significance. He added that ha wanted the congress to forget that there were two political parties in Ireland, and to insist that the organisation must not be used for purposes of any political party. — ("Times.")