Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE SATURDAY, JUNE 17th, 1922. IRISH PEACE.

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 June 1922, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE SATURDAY, JUNE 17th, 1922. IRISH PEACE.

Having consistently maintained in this column, the opinion that the advocates of a republic for Ireland would have to' surrender their hopes, we are not surprised to learn that a satisfactory outcome has resulted from the London conference, and that, from now on, the task of Mr Griffith and his supporters will not be increased by open hostility from those who should be striving to help the Irish cause. Mr de Valera has, apparently, seen wisdom at last, and he must now loyally accept the treaty which gave to Ireland all that was desirable for the real welfare of her people, or he must seek political oblivion, if it is not forced upon him. It is very regrettable that the unexpectedly protracted negotiations since the treaty was ratified by the Dail Eireann should have been accompanied by numer-> ous tragedies and outrages, especially as the treaty has not been altered to any extent. Yet these happenings should have cleared the way to future understandings and greater goodwill, and when, time has passed sufficiently to make memories of recent misdeed? less keen, Ireland should reap all the advantages the new era. makes possible. There may be friction with Ulster, but if the treaty terms are loyally observed, Air Griffith ,and his colleagues should be able to work out national salvation until national unity is welcomed by both North and South. It Iras been clearly shown that the Imperial Government has no desire to check Irish aspirations so long, as loyalty to the! Throne and the Empire is not endangered, and although it was necessary toxsafeguard Ulster territory in the recent border

skirmishes, that does not mean the North will he favoured in every dispute with the -South. The published draft of the new Irish constitution is open to little objection- from the Empire’s viewpoint, and it should s.atisfy all Irish patriots who value the national good as against individual predilections. If bygones are permitted to' be bygones., and difference in religious or political opinions not allowed to l interfere with friendship and the maintenance of law and order, Ireland should become one of the happiest of the nations in the British Commonwealth. That this will prove to be the policy of all dwellers m the country that has lost so much through unnecessary faction, will be the sincere hope of all the King’s subjects, whichever part of the Empire they happen to be natives or residents of.