IRISH EMIGRANTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 148, 23 June 1923, Page 7

IRISH EMIGRANTS.

NOT CHOSEN FOR AUSTRALIA. A PROTEST FROM ULSTER. (.Received 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, June 22. The Hon. Edgar, a member of the Victorian Legislative Council, spent three weeks in North and South li eland. He found a striking difference in conditions. In Dublin the Ministers practically lived continuously in the Parliamentary Building, which 'was guarded by military day and night. The banks and public buildings also were protected by armed guards. Mr. Edgar had several interviews with the Northern Government in reference to | refusal of the Commonwealth to accept Irish emigrants. The Ministry supplied him with copies of correspondence, Irom which it appeared that Ulster had represented to the Colonial Office that Irish were being rejected. The Colonial Ofliee replied that under the Overseas Settlement Act the Irish were equally eligible with people from Britain. It was stated that the Commonwealth definitely refused Irish applicants owing to the disturbed conditions in Ireland. Ulster represented that Northern Ireland was completely quiet and normal. L'nlike southern Ireland, Ulster remained part of the United Kingdom. ?.lr. Andrews (Ulster Minister of Labour) said as a result of the recent representations made to the Australian authorities in London he was informed that provided Irish applications were made direct to London they would receive consideration. The migration authorities have agreed to withdraw the circular in use hitherto, which stated they were recruitng persons only from Great Britain. The authorities had also given an assurance that steps would be taken to set up the same kind of machinery dealing with Irish applications as exists in Britain. They were concentrating on this point, and would press for it to be taken up at the earliest possible moment.— (A. and N.Z. Cable.)