THE NEW IRELAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18466, 30 January 1922, Page 5

THE NEW IRELAND

PACT WITH ULSTER. DEFENCE OF THE TREATY. SPEECH BY SIR JAS. CRAIG ULSTER’S RIGHTS SAFEGUARDED, P/esa Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON; January 27. Sir James Craig, speaking at a Unionist Council luncheon in Belfast, defended the agreement ■with Mr Collins., Ho said that no surrender of Ulster’s rights was involved. Ulster would continue to have her own Parliament, bnt she wished to live at peace with the Free State._ Continuing, Sir James Craig Said that the pact with Mr Collins inferred the Free State’s recognition of Ulster as an entity and a Government with which the Free State could confer. When he held the conference with Mr Collins he had no idea of any specific agreement, but was seeking to lay the horrors of the past and encourage the best elements throughout the land. They had signed a document which, he claimed, was to Ireland’s credit. His recognition of the Free State would enable level-headed >oeoplo to rally to the support of Mr Collins's Government, which at least was endeavouring' to restore order; and stave off separation and a republic. MATTER OF BOUNDARIES. Sir James Craig said he could promise that an agreement would be reached regarding boundaries without disturbing residents desiring to join either the Free State or Ulster. He would never consent to any arrangement that reduced Ulster’s C resent area. The British. Government ad agreed that in any arrangement for compensation for malicious injuries Ulster would not be treated worse than the South. The old Ulster regiments would not be scrapped, and the glorious traditions of the Irish Constabulary would be carried on, DAWN OP A NEW ERA, Sir James Craig said he believed that Ulster’s entry into the Free State lay in the far, distant future, but his programme wag to bury the past and build up an Ulster which would be the envy of the South and West in order that, the people of those parts might be happy to cooperate with Ulster. Sir James Craig was re-elected chairman of the Council.—A. and N.Z. Cable. SINKING OLD GRIEVANCES. LETTER FROM SIR EDWARD CARSON. LONDON, January 26. A letter from Sir Edward Carson which was read at a meeting of the Ulster Unionist Council declared that the great aim of Northern Ireland should be to consolidate the new Government in order that it may settle down to a consideration of the fateful future of the people entrusted to its charge. The Government should also seek to bring about that peace tor which they had prayed so long, and a steady development founded on security and confidence. This was only securable by the sinking of sectional interests for the common welfare.—Reuter. {RISK FREE STATE. RECOGNITION BY PERSIA. LONDON, January 26. Persia is the first foreign country to recognise the Irish Ffeo State. The Consul ceremoniously presented a message of congratulation on behalf of the Shah and his Government. * Mr Griffith and Mr Collins have replied.—Reuter. , A BANK ROBBERY. LONDON, January 26. Armed burglars visited a branch of the Ulster Bank at Devlin, in Westmeath, and compelled the manager at the point of the revolver to accompany their motor car to the residence of the cashier, where the keys of the safe were kept. They then returned to the bank and stole £6OO and disappeared.—Reuter. THE PARIS CONFERENCE. POLICY 01' AUSTRALASIAN DELEGATES. PARIS, January 28. (Received Jan. 29, at 11.15 p.m.) The Australasian delegates to .the Irish Congress informed the Australian Press Association that they maintained a strict ?olicy of non-interference, recognising that reland’s future was her own concern. “ We told Congress,” thev said, “that we were Australians and New Zealanders first and Irishmen afterwards. Nevertheless we are prepared to support any movement apart from politics.”—A. and N.Z. Cable.