CHANGES IN IRELAND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21358, 6 December 1932, Page 11

CHANGES IN IRELAND

IMPROVED CONDITIONS AUCKLAND PRIEST'S VISIT AMERICA AND WAR DEBTS The present dispute between Ireland rind Great Britain is deplored by (lie Rev. Father 11. F. Holbrook, of Auckland, who returned by the Monterey yesterday after revisiting Ireland to attend the Fueliaristie Congress, held in Dublin during June. "The congress was a stupendous success," Father Holbrook said. "For a space Ireland became a vast cathedral, vibrant with the prayers of millions." Great changes bad occurred in Ireland since his last visit in 1913, Father Holbrook said. To-day Ireland bad far greater liberty than was ever contemplated under pre-war Home Rule proposals, but the unnatural partition of the country was a colossal blunder. There could be no peace between North and South until the border disappeared. "Ireland appeared to mo to be the country least affected by the prevailing financial depression," Father Holbrook said. "Were it not for the present unfortunate estrangement between the two nations on either side of the Irish Channel, Ireland would bo the most fortunate of all the countries I visited. For the first tirfio for nearly a century emigration has ceased. Social conditions have improved greatly and this year the Government has advanced £5,000,000 toward solving tho housing problem. Loans are granted up to 80 per cent of building costs. Transport is good and the roads are excellent. It is estimated that over £4.000,000 was spent in Ireland by tourists this year." A trip through the United States left Father Holbrook with the, impression that the unemployment position would constitute a solid argument against cancellation or revision of war debts. In spite of all the hoarding of gold, unemployed in the United States numbered about 12,000,000. One of the highest authorities in the United States, Dr. John A. Ryan, of the Catholic University, had written in favour of debt cancellation. He said the debt payment arrangements were unreal;" the debts could not be paid; America did not really want them paid; the economic sacrifice involved in cancellation was negligible; and great advantages were to be derived from cancellation. However, Dr. Ryan held that cancellation should be subject to two conditions —;the wiping out of German reparations [and an international agreement on a policy of disarmament and the outlawry of war.