IRISH “PEACE”

Gisborne Times, Volume LVI, Issue 6322, 27 February 1922, Page 5

IRISH “PEACE”

TREATY IN MID-AIR. WHAT IS MR COLLINS’ PURPOSE? NO PERIOD FOR RATIFICATION. (United Press Association —Copyright.) LONDON, Feb. 23. A serious 'impression was made in the House or Commons by the announcement that consideration of the Irish Bill has been placed in abeyance.

The Daily Mail, in a leader, considers that a settlement under the treaty is left suspended in mid-air and exposed to considerable danger. It is impossible to understand Air Collins’ purpose in agreeing to a postponement, hut that discloses the remarkable fact that the British Governmeixt does not seem to have stipulated a period for ratification of the treaty.

The Times’ Dublin correspondent points’ out that the postponement clients the people of the right to vote for or against the plain issue of the treaty. It is believed that the mass want treaty. It would seem that Mr De Valera has parted Messrs Griffith and Collins from a great source of strength. The treaty will be submitted along with the constitution of the Free State. The people must accept both or neither. FINANCIAL PUZZLE. BRITAIN AND THE RIVAL GOVERNMENTS. . LONDON, Feb. 24. Mr Churchill, in Committee of Supply, on the supplementary vote of £1,130,000 in aid of the Provisional Government, said that before the war on the whole the balance as between Great Britain and .Ireland was in favor of Ireland, but through the revolution in our taxation following the war Ireland had become a substantial contributor to the United Kingdom revenue. Ireland would be a loser by the Free State Agreement. During the fighting in Ireland a great deal of injury was done to persons and property in the south of Ireland, and a fund was formed from which the proceeds were to meet these claims, in. the discussion Irish Ministers had pointed out that local authorities had been deprived of revenue on which tney counted, leading to neglect services dependent on such revenue, and strongly pressed that revenue should be placed at their disposal to help to deal with the economic situation, and help the local government to resume normal functions. The Gov-, eminent felt, however, that justifiable as the interception of this revenue was as a war measure, local authority funds were not a proper source to defray injuries to persons and property.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer also promised Captain Craig that he would seek authority to pay the Northern Government in respect to similar losses sustained prior to January 14 of this year, amounting to a million and a half. The Government would create a commission of three members representing the Imperial Government and Northern and Southern Ireland, with an independent judical chairman. The commission would fix tlie responsibility for damage. Each Government would bear the financial cost of its own casualties.

Sir H. Greenwood, J replying to members’ queries, said he could not say whether the Strickland repor* would be available to tho commission. Replying to a question whether tlie Government was justified in withholding money until the Provisional Government could carry on, he said they were not justified, saying that the Government could not carrry on. The Provisional Government were without funds. He agreed to hand over the sum mentioned in the estimates for local Irish purposes.

CLAIMS IN IRELAND. VOTE OF £1,130,000 PASSED. (Received Feb. 26, 11.5 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 24. Continuing the debate in the House' of Commons in Committee of Supply, Sir Hamnr Greenwood said claims from Northern Ireland had been reduced from one-third to half in the great majority cf cases. The total value of claims in Southern Ireland was about £9,000,000, of which about £1,000,00(36 was paid. A vote of £1,130,000 in aid of miscellaneous services was carried after division.

Mr. Griffiths and Mr. Duggan conferred with Mr. Churchill and Lord Birkenhead. The conference will be continued on Sunday.—A. and N.Z. Cable Assn.

BOTH SIDES PREPARING FOR ELECTION CAMPAIGN. FURTHER STRIFE IN ULSTER, PROPOSED SPECIAL POLICE FOR SPECIAL DISTRICTS. (Received Feb. 26, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Fob. 25. While official circles in London are perplexed regarding the immediate future cf the Irish question, the protreaty party at Dublin have opened election offices and are methodically inaugurating a campaign. Republicans likewise are operating, _ issuing weekly propaganda wherein the treaty is attacked, a prominent contributor thereto being Barton, who, after signing the agreement, seceded to T)e.(Valera. The rival factions in Ulster are embarking on new strife, particularly in Armagh and Tyrone, where police patrols arc attacked by wandering bands who use bombs. It is proposed to organise special Catholic police for Catholic districts in Ulster. The Northern Government has agreed to enrol a limited number of Sinn Fein non-Ropublican soldiers.—A. and N.Z. C.A. BRITISH EV mm TTON COMMENCES TO-DAY. , ULSTER GOVERNMENT AND CLONES INQUIRY. (Received February 25, 11.5 p.m.) LONDON, February 25. A Cork report states that the British evacuation of Southern Ireland recommences on Monday. The Ulster Government announces that it cabinet proceed with the Clones inquiry until the Republicans release the special constables they then captured, as the specials are essential witnesses.—A, and N.Z.G.A.