THE IRISH QUESTION

Maoriland Worker, Volume 10, Issue 448, 8 October 1919, Page 6

THE IRISH QUESTION

The refusal of Mr. to give the House of Representatives an opportunity of discussing the question uf seli-determiniation for Ireland, as proposed by Wr. P- Fraser was quite obviously the only reply that could be expected from the loader of a party responsible for t fl e commital of every crime in the political calendar against Hopular _i_e_},y -and, personal rigsihs ■during the last: four' years, with, of course* the active concurrence' and ax>proval of the man who, with characteristic effrontery, peisists in describing himself as th s leader of liberal thought and opinion in th c country. On this question affecting the rights of tho Irish people it should be said thab whiio Air. .Massey may be a Cursonife, and no doubt he is. h e must, at least, bo given the credit of having the courage of "1-s convictions, such as they arc. Aad in this essential quality of mind and character let it be said that Sir Joseph Ward has been utterly and conspicuously lacking throughouthis political career. So" indisputably true indeed is this tb'at it is a legitimate matter for speculation whether in fact he has any stable or abiding l convictions on any subject, except the single cne of sinking everything for whatever promises political advantage. On this question of Irish self-govern-ment Air. Massey may fairly be described as an open enemy, wlnereas Sir Joseph, shifty and inconstant iv principle to the point of perfidy, can or.Uy b 0 described as a false friend. For some reason, never quite clear to mc, he has been described as a sympathiser with the aspirations of the Irish people for self-government, but when asked during his Premiership, as Mr. Alassoy recently was, if h. would, as Leader of tho House, tako tho initiative in moving a motion supporting Ireland's demand, he net only refused to do so, but expressed himself in such curt and and impatient terms as effectually discouraged any subsequent reference to toe subject.—VlNPEX.