ULSTER PARLIAMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3511, 28 June 1921, Page 17

ULSTER PARLIAMENT.

OPENED BY THE KING. LONDON, June 21. There were remarkable scenes of enthusiasm at Euston when the King and Queen left for Holyhead. The crowd cheered and shouted “ Good luck and a safe return,” and sang the National Anthem. According to the Central News, there is a remarkable report, said to be based on good authority, circulating in the lobby to-night, that Siim Fein intends to signalise the King’s visit to Belfast by offering peace to his Majesty. The King and Queen crossed the Channel to Ireland escorted by a flotilla of battleships and destroyers. The most elaborate precautions have been taken to guard against the possibility of a Sinn Fein outrage. Troops and police continue to be drafted into Belfast. The route of the procession is cut off from the rest of the city. Their Majesties will be surrounded by a dense bodyguard of picked Life Guards, Ulster Rifles, and police. A house-to-house search has been conducted as well as an examination of all roofs overlooking the route. —Times. Special precautions were taken to safeguard their Majesties. Men were posted along the permanent way in sight of one another on the whole route from Euston Station to Holyhead. THE KING’S SPEECH. LONDON, June 21. Mr Chamberlain, in the House of Commons, announced that the King s Speech at Belfast will be made on the advice of the British Cabinet, not of the Government of Northern Ireland. The Marquis of Dufferin has been elected Speaker of the Northern Senate. THE KING’S APPEAL LONDON, June 22. The King and Queen had a tremendous welcome at Belfast. Steamers’ noisy syrens sounded a chorus as the fleet entered the port. The streets were packed with people. There was wonderful cheering and llagwaving. The King received prominent people aboard the yacht. A large number of honours were conferred on leading Ulster nobles, including a viscountcy on Lord Pirrie (chairman of Harland and Wolff’s shipbuilding establishment). His Majesty the King, in a preface to his speech, said: For all who love Ireland, as I do with all my heart, this is.a profoundly moving occasion in Irish history. My memories of the Irish people date back to the time when I spent many happy days in Ireland as a midshipman. My affection was deepened by successive visits, and I have watched with constant sympathy the course of Ireland’s affairs. The King opened the Northern Irish Parliament. Cheering multitudes welcomed him. In his speech his Majesty declared that he could not allow a deputy to perform the ceremony; therefore he came in person as the head of the Empire to inaugurate the Parliament on Irish soil. He said he hoped that it would become an instrument of happiness and good government. His Majesty continued : Everything which touches Ireland finds an echo in the remotest parts of the Empire. Few things are more earnestly desired throughout the Eng-lish-speaking world than a satisfactory solution of the age-long Irish problem. No wish is nearer to my own heart tlian that every Irishman, of whatever creed and wherever his home may be, should loyally co-operate with the free communities on which the Empire is based. The eyes of the whole Empire are on Ireland to-day. I am emboldened to look beyond the sorrow and anxiety which have clouded my late vision of

Irish affairs. I speak from a full heart when 1 pray that my coming may prove the first step towards the end oi strife amongst rav people. In that hope 1 appeal to all Irishmen to pause and stretch out the hand of forbearance and concLjation, to forgive and forget, and to join in making for the land they love a new era of peace and’ good-will. His Majesty said he hoped that Southern Ireland would soon have a parallel ceremony. Ihe King and Queen then re-emb&rkcd. They had a magnificent send-off. MR MASSEY’S CONGRATULATIONS. LONDON, June 22. Mr Massey telegraphed Sir James Craig congratulations on the opening of th® Ulster Parliament, adding that his earnest hope was that the event would help to restore peace and prosperity to the whol® of Ireland . BELFAST EN FETE. LONDON, June 23. The throne used at Belfast was a replica of the one in the House of Lords. Trumpets heralded the approach of the Royalties. The Lord Lieutenant, carrying the Sword of State, and accompanied by the senators, entered the Chamber, where tha King and Queen were seated. Black Rod then summoned the Commoners. Tha King delivered his Speech in a clear voice. Tlie proceedings were most impressive and memorable. Tho Senate Chamber was filled with peers and peeresses and Court and military officials. The street decorations showed a lavish riot of colour. Tha King wore a naval uniform. The great square on the quay was thickly lined with troops. Ail armoured motor car patrolled the square. The Tenth Hussars escorted the Royalties, while the streets were lined with six battalions of infantry. Overhead a squadron of aeroplanes at an elevation of 500 ft kpt vigil. When the King reached the City Hall the crowd sponta.neouslv sang the old Orange liallad “Derry Walls.” NOTABLE ABSENTEES. LONDON, June 23. The Daily News stresses the absence of Sir Edward Carson, Ixird Birkenhead, and Generals Gough and Crozier, and says that it was impossible not to notice the absence of all Roman Catholics ex--cept of the Viceroy (Lord l'itzalan). Invitations were issued to the Hierarchy in the North of Ireland, including Archbishop Logue. All were declined. This is regarded in high official quarters as most regrettable. HIERARCHY’S DECLARATION. LONDON, June 23. The Roman Catholic Hierarchy has issued from Maynooth a declaration concerning the present condition of Ireland. It says that the indignities, outrages, and horrors have been intensified. Ireland is now threatened with darker doings because Irishmen rightly spurned the British Government’s sham settlement. A special Government has been given to the most intolerant section of the people without safeguarding the victims of recurring cruelty. Their own Parliament was created after a year of intolerant persecution of Belfast Catholics. REMODELLING EDUCATION. LONDON, June 23. Their Majesties were enthusiastically welcomed at Euston Station. The King, describing Belfast, told Mr Lloyd ueorge : “I have never had such a warm and remarkable reception in any part of my Empire.” At a, meeting of the Ulster Senate Lord Fitzalan read a message from the King, stating that after the various departments were in working order an earnest endeavour would be made to develop the resources of Northern Ireland; also to develop the export trade, remodel education, and amend the licensing laws. After the Address-in-Reply had been carried both Houses adjourned till September 19.