THE IRISH PROBLEM

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXX, Issue LXXX, 14 February 1920, Page 5

THE IRISH PROBLEM

SINN FEIN DEMONSTRATION IN LONDON. BY CABLE—BRESfc ASSCKJIATION—COPYRIGHT LONDON, Feb. 12. Official circles regard Mr MacNeilTs statement to the Australian Press Association as a valuable contribution -to , ;the Irish .-coEtroversy.. They consider the moderate tone of the interview augurs well .for a smooth working -of Home Rule, which will almost certainly ■be .in operation -within a year. There are : indications that Ulster will not resist the establishment of its .Parliament. It would be a paradoxical situation if Ulster accepted and South<ern Ireland, where the demand -for • Home Rule originated, refused to elect •members to;the Dublin Parliament. 3?he speeches at Mr Griffiths' Albert Hall meeting were a most violent denunciation of England. It has feeesn | •suggested that the date was chosen to i synchronise with yesterday's London meeting of the Council of the League of* Nations. The audience sang rebel1 •songs and waved Sinn Fein flags. MiGriffiths declared, in.reference to Dublin Castle, that, a few months ago the Secretary instructed the Irish constabulary to shoot prisoners if a res.cue was attempted, and also to shoot a •certain Sinn Fein member of the House of Commons on sight, au.d accuse him ,of shooting fir^. The chairman-read Mr Smillie's meson behalf or the Scottish National •Committee, saluting representatives of ■ffche Irish jßepublic, and saying that it $00 was preparing for the day, not far idistaat, when the English .^control of ireland and Scotland would cease. Those on th© platform included Mrs iDef-paxd (sister of Lord French, the Viceroy). Guardsmen' pickets were stationed at the doors to prevent soldiers attending the meeting. Tlte Irish press is generally 'hostile and sarcastic in commenting on the Home Rule proposals mentioned in the King's speech. Freeman's Journal .-says that the proposals are a mockery to public intelligence, and merely another contribution to Irish anarchy. The Independent is confident that Ireland will not give the scheaie a moment's consideration". The Irish Times says that the Government clearly intends to rush the Bill through, though it has not yet consulted any party interest in Ireland.

"No Rubbing" laundry has captured the womens' vote, aJso ours.— W. G. Gilbert. &