THE COMMONS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 7 August 1924, Page 9

THE COMMONS

BOUNDARY DISPUTE. RILL READ A FIRST TIME. BY CABLE—PBESS ASSOCIATION—COPYBIGHT Received Aug. 7, 11.45 a.m. LONDON, Aug. 6. Mr Thomas said Mr Cosgrave wrote to Mr MacDonald on August 4, stating that after the fullest consultation with his colleagues he must urge upon the British Government the necessity for passing a Bill rectifying the treaty before Parliament is adjourned to remove finally the grave doubts and suspicions aroused in the minds of the Irish people by the long delay in appointing a boundary commission. Mr MacDonald felt it impossible to call on Parliament at the end of the. session to' consider legislation which would be certain to he seriously opposed, 1 not merely in the Commons, but in the Lords. Without allowing time for reflection, therefore, he (Mr Thomas) and Mr Henderson went to Dublin, and had a full and frank discussion with Mr Cosgrave and his colleagues, as a result of which the Government decided to ask Parliament to meet on September 13 instead of October 31. The Government on September -13 will move the second reading of the Bill, and thereafter use all their powers to pass it into law. The Government did not pretend that the Free State Government would he satisfied, but it was hoped that at least they would be able to,satisfy the Irish people that the British Government and people mean to keep faith. The Government most earnestly hoped that the Northern Ireland Government, before September 13, would appoint a representative to the commission, rendering further progress with the Bill unnecessary. “Let there he no mistake,” declared Mr Thomas. “The issues are grave, involving the honour and good faith of Britain. They are too serious to be the sport of party controversy.” He hoped, therefore, ‘that the press and people would refrain from any action calculated to inflame old prejudices. Mr Thomas then formally introduced the Irish Free State Confirmation of Agreement Bill, which was read a first time.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. TO ADJOURN TO SEPTEMBER 30. Received Aug. 7, 10.40 a.m. LONDON, Aug. 6. In the House of Commons. Mr Thomas announced that Parliament would meet on Seotember 30, unless in the meantime the North Irish Government appointed a boundary commissioner. The Government’s Bill was being introduced to r cTay, and would he pressed .forward.—Renter.