IRISH FREE STATE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18736, 14 December 1922, Page 7

IRISH FREE STATE

THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL. MR HEALY’S APPOINTMENT. THE POPE’S GOOD WISHES. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, December 12. The Pope sent a message to Mr T. M. Healy cordially welcoming his appointment as Governor-General of the Irish Free State. His Holiness prays that a happy era cf peace and prosperity has now set in for his beloved people in Ireland. Ho sends his apostolic blessing.— Reuter | THE FREE STATE. PRESIDENT’S REPLY TO GENERAL SMUTS. CAPETOWN, December 12. The President (Mr Cosgrave), in replying to General Smuts’s message of congratulation, says; We thoroughly appreciate your personal share in bringing about this great act of justice. Wc heartily join in the hope lhat the emergence of Ireland as a free nation of the commonwealth groups may lead to the strengthening of the spiritual bond uniting the nations which compose it. —A. and N.Z. Cable. IRISH CONSTITUTION. THE FINAL ENACTMENT. KING’S MESSAGE READ. LONDON, December 12. (Received Dec. 13, at 8.5 p.m.) Mr T. M. Healv, addressing a joint assembly of the Senate and the Dail Eireann, read the King’s message, stating : With the final enactment of its constitution as a selLgoverning dominion the Free State comes into being. It is my earnest hope that by faithful observance by all sides of the pact which has been concluded, peace and prosperity in Ireland may be secured. In the spirit of that settlement I have chosen you to be the first representative of the Crown in the Free States. With all my heart I pray that the blessing of God may rest upon you and the Ministers of the Free State in the difficult task committed to your charge. Mr Healy said; “ A constitution has been devised under which the most patriotic yearning for the recreation of the national life and identity of the country in language, thought, literature, and art, for progress along secure lines of social and economic development, and for an assurance of happiness and contentment, is offered the utmost free play. The Free State lias entered into the fullness of partnership in liberty with the nations, co-operating in co-cqual membership of the great commonwealth of free peoples. Unhappily a small number has not bowed to the will of the majority, and lias engaged in hostile operations, spreading ruin broadcast by attempting to impose its will on the majority by means of terror and destruction. It failed in its attempt to unset the treaty, but the difficulties were enhanced to an incalculable extent bv the problem of the unemployed. Our first care must be to end this disorder speedily.’—A. and N.Z. Cable. REIGN OF FREEDOM. LONDON, December 12. (Received Dec. 13, at 9.15 p.m.) Mr T. M. Healy, in acknowledging the King’s message, says: “The terms of the message will touch all hearts, while the thought which inspired it must everywhere evoke the admiration and goodwill of men. I humbly join in beseeching the Almighty that the reign of freedom now established in Ireland will bring with it early peace and prosperity, as well as lasting reconciliation between the British and Irish nations.” Continuing, Mr Healy said that it was the Government’s duty to take steps to constitute a commission which would determine the boundaries between Ulster and the Free State. Legislation would be required for the extension of the franchise, the establishment of a judicial system, of civil police, and of national defence, the provision for compensation in land purchase, and other matters consequential on Ireland’s new constitutional status. —A. and N.Z. Cable.

SENATE CHAIRMAN ELECTED. LONDON, December 12. (Received Dec. 13, at 8.5 p.m.) Lord Glenavy has been elected chairman of the Irish Senate.—A. and N.Z. Cable.