IRISH CONTENTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16762, 31 January 1918, Page 5

IRISH CONTENTION.

CRITICAL STAGE REACHED.

MANY PROBLEMS SOLVED.

LONDON, Jan. 23. Commenting on the resignation of Sir Edward Carson from the War Cabinet, the London Times in a leading article says— " Sir Edward Carson is personally anxious for peace in Ireland. He desires freedom to discuss the convention, which has reached the last and most critical 6tage, that will possibly result in a deadlock. His resignation restores to Irish politics a valuable element in constructive statesmanship."

The lobbyist of the Times states that Sir Edward Carton will return to Belfast immediately. Members of the War Cabinet regretted and resisted the resignation, which had been contemplated for some time.

An article published in the Daily Chronicle'on January 16 states:— work of the Irish Convention this week is regarded as critical. From all accounts remarkable progress had been made, and agreement reached on many troublesome points, but the convention is now encountering the most formidable obstacle. The Dublin correspondent cj the Daily News says that the last fortnight has witnessed a drawing together of the Nationalists and southern Unionists, leaving the Belfast Unionists isolated.

The Dublin correspondent of the Times states that the newspapers are refraining from comment upon the proceedings of the convention, as they realise the extreme delicacy of the situation, but the crisis is the sole topic of conversation in Ireland. If members of the Government visited Ireland, they must be impressed with the anxiety of all classes. No other national crisis has ever stirred Irishmen so deeply. Everybody is hoping that some way out of the impasse will yet be found. The correspondent adds that the suggestion that the convention is endangered has caused dismay in Dublin and throughout Ireland. Irishmen are now realising that they had taken settlement almost for granted, and this has produced a public temper which will hold to strict account those responsible if the convention fails, also the Government if it does not use its utmost exertion to &void failure. The Times urges Cabinet to frame an alternative policy immediately. It is aware that the great bulk of the British people of the Dominions are determined on a settlement of the Irish question.