IRISH CRISIS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, 29 October 1921, Page 5

IRISH CRISIS

UNEXPECTED AHKOUKGEMEMT BY

PREMIER

HOUSE 'I’O DISCUSS CONFERENCE

(By Eiectno Telegraph —Copyright.)

(Reuter's Telegrams.)

LONDON, 00, 27

hi the House of Commons Mr Tbyd George made an unexpected unnoencement asking- the House to discuss Hie Anglo Irish eonferenee on 31st.. ile said it was evident that a section oi the House had serious misgivings regarding the eonferenee a.ml said " I think it essential wo should know where wo stand as a government before we go mueh further. It is a mill ter of vital moment to (he United Kingdom and Empire, and no government could conduct negotiations of that kind without knowing it hud (be, support of (he House from which it desired to have ils authority 1o aol."’ The Premier ho[ied there would lie a division on the resolution which would be moved on the 31.si. on behalf o! a seel ion of Unionists. The announcement was received with great cheering. .Mr Lloyd Ueorge’s reference was to a, body of Coalition Unionists who have been severly questioning Minis!ers regarding conference. The, resolution, which the Premier described as tantamount to a vote of censure, was signed by forty Coalition Unionists ami reads: —"The House, views with grave apprehension entering into negotiations .with deiegats of Southern Ireland who have taken the Oath of Allegiance, to the Irish republic and repudiated the. aulhoritv of the Crown, and in view of the fact that an act of Parliament for a settlement of the relations between Great Britain and Ireland was passed, as recently as last year, the. House is of the opinion that no proposals for a settlement, with .Southern Ireland should be made- without flic sanction of .Parliament.'’

PARLIAMENTARY SANCTION

LONDON, Oct. 27

'ln tiic House of Commons Mr Lloyd George, replying to questions, in add it eicar tiiafc if a settlement was reached in (lu- Irish. Conference the terms would be submitted for Parliamentary, sanction. Every provision would have to bo ratified by Parliament and incorporated in an Act of Parliament. The parties thereto would bo representatives of the Irish people duly elected under the Act of Parliament and the British Government.

SINN FEIN GONG HESS

LONDON, Oct. ■ 27,

Mr I)e Valera, presiding at the Sinn Fein National Congress at Dublin, attended by two thousand delegates,, asked the press to withdraw in order ito facilitate free discussion.. At the present critical juncture delegates would bo hampered if their utterances were open til misrepresentation outside. They, did not want to'interfere with the peace conference’s work. Notwith stand ing the enemy’s strenuous hunt for Hinn Reiners’ money not a penny had fallen into their hands.

PREMIER’S CHALLENGE TO

UNIONISTS

(United Service)

LONDON, Oct. 27

The Daily "Mail in a leader states that Mr Lloyd George’s dramatic challenge to Unionists is a definite sign that he has irrevocably set his feet on the. path of peace consistent with the uni tv of the Empire. The. paper points out that the House of Commons will have to decide between the wrecking (.actios of a Unionist junta and statesmanship seeking- a ' peaceful' settlement.

A DEADLOCK

LONDON, Oct. 27.

' The Australian PrSss Association understands that tho .Irish Conference has'reached a deadlock whence there it small hope of emergence.- Mr Lloyd George is determined, in the absence of a reply to his question regarding the. Sinn Fein defining their attitude on the question of Irish allegiance to ih 0 Throne, -, lb., do nothing likely : to precipitate' an absolute break. Cabinet is somewhat embarrassed by tho attitude of belligerent Unionist Commoners, but it is understood Mr Lloyd ■ George, accepting their challenge, will reply in the .House of Commons, on Monday.