IRELAND

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 1 August 1924, Page 5

IRELAND

THE BOUNDARY DEADLOCK

A DIFFICULT SITUATION CREATED

(By Eleotrio Telegraph.—Copyright.) lAunl raiiitu ao*l N.Z Cable Association.)

LONDON, July 31

Following tiie judicial interpretation of the Irish Treaty opinion is general that the only way out of the deadlock is for the Government to pass legislation itself appointing a boundary commission.

The Daily Chronicle says Cabinet coil, sidered the position and came to the conclusion that a most difficult situation had been created. It is understood that Ministers, in view of the fact that the. present Government was not. responsible for the Treaty, decided . that it ought to consult those concerned, and accordingly communicated with the signatories, also the leaders of the parties in office when the Treaty was framed. It is understood a conference with these will be held at Downing Street immediately. Meantime it is indicated that it is necessary to prolong the sitting of Parliament for a week. Possibly Ml Thomas may cancel his trip to South Africa.

The Daily Telegraph says a roundtable conference in connection with the Irish Treaty will be bold at Downing Street tin's morning. Invitations have been issued to Mr Baldwin and Mr Asfjuitli and the, signatories. Mr Lloyd George, Mr Chamberlain, Lord Birkenhead. Mr Churchill, Sir L. Worthington Evans, Sir llamar Greenwood. Sir Gordon Hewart.

The Daily Express stale sthal the Government feels that faith must he kept with the Free State and if the Bill is not. forwarded imiuediajely a serious position will arise in Southern Ireland owing to Bepubiican activities and the failure of the Free State Government to hold the position. The Morning Post correspondent learns that the Imperial Government ordered the. withdrawal of British troops from Bellukfort, in the disturbed area on the north-west border, and argues that this is ill-timed. It adds that, everyone knows the days of the Cosgrave Government are numbered.

The general expectation is that there will be a collapse of tfie Free State Constitution in the late autumn and (fie enthronement of republicanism.