A CHANGED IRELAND

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 February 1927, Page 9

A CHANGED IRELAND

SPIRIT OF FRIENDSHIP. The opinion that the Irish Free State was the country probably most satisfied with the results of the Imperial Conference was expressed to a New Zealand Herald representative by the Rev. Father O’ Gallagher, who returned by lonic. Father Gallagher who was born in Ireland and has been on an extended'visiit to his native country, has worked for many years in the Roman Catholic diocese of Christchurch, latterly as parish priest of Akaroa.

Father Gallagher said the greatest problem in the Free State at the present time was the fiscal question, and the way this was handled by Mr Kevin O'Higgins—tlje Free State’s most active representative at Conference—and received by the Imperial delegates had won general approval. The direct result, was that practically all the financial difficulties that existed between Britain and the Free State had been settled amicably, which opened the way for full co-operation between both counmes and removed many shackles delaying the development of industry in Ireland. ‘•lreland, both North and South, is a changed land,” added Father Gallagher. “The poverty that has always been so noticeable still exists, but is gradually disappearing. The people are imbued with a new spirit, the system of government is progressive and trusted, and there is a strong desire among all sections for conciliation and advancement. It is patent to the most pessimistic visitor that a bright and prosperous future is in store for a once sorely troubled land.” The remarkable growth of industry was one of the most interesting impressions he had gathered. The South of Ireland was no longer exclusively agricultural—secondary industries were springing up almost everywhere. Ji was pleasing to him, in view of the speculation on the opportunities for the same enterprises in New Zealand, to notice the success of a beet-sugar defining factory that had been established in County Carlow. It was turning out a splendid product under profitable conditions, and providing employment for 1700 workers. “The unemployment situation is practically trifling,” observed Father Gallagher. “This is largely the result of the new phase of industrial activity. The greatest step has been the harnessing of the Shannon for hydroelectric power, which was a wonderful feat for a small country in such a parlous condition as the Free State was when the project was so courageously undertaken. The waters of the Shannon, which have inspired so much music and poetry, are now to take the prosaic but vital role of being the chief factor in Ireland’s material progress.” Asked if the Republican movement

retained any hold on the country, Father Gallagher, who was a pupil of E.immon de Valera when the Republican leader was a professor at. Maynooth, said it was “as dead as the dodo.” The movement had split into Iso sections, he said, one of which, with de' Valera at its head, based its v hole campaign on an alternative Parliamentary oath framed by de Valera, vbich contained only a hair-splitting difference from the constitutional 1 form. The other section consisted of

the extreme type, with whom no good citizen could associate A good word for Rotary was offered by Father Gallagher, in, speaking of the prospects ■of reunion between North and South. “The commercial and professional people of both areas have grown tired of the division,” he observed, “and it is a frequent topic at Rotarian gatherings attended by representatives from both sides of the horde) - . The chambers of comme<.co i>: both States are also expressing the opinion that it is time the division was removed. . . “This spirit of union is reflected in all classes. There is scarcely any fori u.lity in. grossing the border, and people whose opinions differed sharply a few years ago are now living on terms of perfect' amity. The lodgS celebrations of July 12 were distin guished by a conciliatory tone, and there is little doubt that except foi’ a small area of Belfast each side ha; buried its hatchet.”