IRISH BOUNDARIES.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume L, Issue 16498, 2 August 1924, Page 7

IRISH BOUNDARIES.

MOM EXTOIJS ROUND-TABLE

CONFERENCE

ULSTER LEADERS’ PROTEST.

(Elen. Tel. Copyright,--United Press Assn.' (Australia:' and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, July 31.

In the House of Commons, questioned whether the Government conferred this morning with the British signatories to the Irish Treaty on the subject of the boundary clause, and whether any decision was taken, Mr. Ramsay MacDonald replied that difficulty having arisen in connection with the interpretation of clause twelve, he thought it was advisable to seek counsel of the leaders of the parties signatory to the treaty. No decisions were taken. Asked whether the question would be adjourned till the autumn session, and if so, whether he was aware there was a feeling throughout Ireland that the Government was riot serious in pressing forward the case of the Irish Treaty. Mr. MacDonald replied there was still a week before the House of Commons would rise. He promised to make a statement to-morrow. He understood that the Government intends to adjourn next week-end until October, therefore it was impossible to pass a special Irish Bill as suggested in some quarters. In the House of Commons, Mr. Thomas said President Cosgrave and Sir J. Craig had been invited to London. If" they failed to agree a Bill would be introduced before the recess to establish a Boundary Commission. A momentous round-table conference consisted of Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, Mr. J. R. Clynes, Mr. Stanley Baldwin, Viscount Chamberlain, Lord Birkenhead, Sir 1:1. Worthington Evans, Mr. Lloyd George. Mr. MacDonald made it plain that the Minister had not the slightest intention to trap the leaders of other parties into a decision. The Government was ready to honor the British pledge to carry out the Treaty. He believed it to be necessary to introduce immediately a Bill enabling the Boundary Commission to function and pass before Parliament adjourned. The Daily Telegraph’s Parliamentary correspondent says that the proposal did not meet with ■either Liberal or Unionist approval. It was pointed out- that if the Government deferred the attempt to legislate until the autumn sitting there would be a lengthy and valuable interval wherein settlement by an agreement would be possible. The Daily Telegraph says: “Mr. MacDonald declares that if the Bill is rejected by either the House of Commons or the House of Lords, the Government would 1 be compelled to go to the country. When the conference broke up the Ministers appeared determined to keep Parliament sitting, in order to pass a Bill, hut subsequently changed their minds, and decided to formally introduce the Bill and leave the discussion thereon until the autumn session. Liberal exMmisters met and decided that the party is obliged to support the Government.” The Morning Post affirms that Mr. Lloyd George went so far as to sav he would join the Government in fighting the question at the general election if necessary.

Ulster Unionist leaders sent a strong protest, to Mi’. MacDonald. Sir James Craig is ill. but Lord Londonderry and two Ulster Ministers went to London to make further representations. Mr. Cosgrave is expected to reach London today.

The Daily Express’ lobby correspondent says that Mr. MacDonald, in the course of a statement in the House of Commons to-day, will make one last appeal to Ulster to nominate its representative as an get of generosity in the interests of the Empire. Tlie Bill will provide for a third representative nominated by the Ulster Government. The Daily Herald announces that Mr. Cosgrave, and Sir James Craig or his representative are coming to London at Mr. MacDonald’s invitation. THE IRISH’ VOLCANO. VERY NE’All TO ERUPTION. BRITISH POLITICAL CRISIS THREATENED. (Sydney Sun Cables.) (Received August 2, 10 a.m.) LONDON, August 1. Newspapers predict that Ireland will create another political crisis. They tate Liberal co-opera,tion will enable the Government to carry in the Commons a Bill dealing with the Boundary Commission against the Conservatives’ opposition, but the Lords will reject the Bill, upon which the Government will appeal to the country. ■ Conservatives realise they will be at a serious disadvantage if Liberals and Labor co-operate in an election, eliminating three-cornered contests. The Times, in a, leading article, says: “The Irish volcano, which has been smouldering or some time, is very near toeruption, which may spread ruin far beyond the borders of Ireland.” It warns the Government against hasty legislation which would naturally rouse fierce resentment in Northern Ireland at an. attempt to override her, and adds: “Time is required in which to judge the best method to escape from a disastrous dilemma.” REPORT OF JUDICIAL COMMITTEE MINISTERIAL STATEMENT. GRAVE. ISSUES RAISED. (Reuter’s Telegram.) (Received August- 2, 11.25 a.m.) LONDON', Aug. 1. Replying in the l House of* Commons to Mr. Baldwin, Mr. Thomas said the report of th e Judicial Committee had been presented to His Majesty yesterday. The report held that the refusal of the Government of North Ireland to appoint a. member of the Boundary Commission was a contingency unforeseen at the date of the passage of the Act of Parliament implementing the treaty. If the refusal was maintained, there was no constitutional means under the existing statutefor bringing the Commission into existence. The report, said Mr. Thomas, raised grave issues. The Government was hound by honor to secure the carrying out of tlie undoubted intention of Parliament when it ratified the treaty. TheGovernment was earnestly bound by honor to secure tlie carrying out of the undoubted intention of Parliament when it ratified the treaty. The Government earnestly hoped the Government of North Ireland, even at this late stage, would appoint a Commissioner. If that hope were not fulfilled tlie Government would forthwith introduce legislation giving effect to- the undoubted intention of the treaty, and it would press the passage of legislation, regardless of the consequence to itself. Not merely the honor of the Government but the honor of the country was involved in seeing that- the obligation of the treaty imposed on the United Kingdom was fulfilled in spirit and in letter. His colleagues and lie himself were not, prepared to omit any step necessary to place the good faith of Parliament- and people beyond question. Mr. Lloyd George expressed great satisfaction at- the announcement. He himself and all colleagues would support Government, measures necessary to make clear to the Empire and the world that the Government was not prepared to

shuffle out pi a bargain on a mere question of -machinery. Mr. Ashley (Conservative) angrily asked if there was an honorable agreement with Ulster. Mr. Thomas answered that there was nothing more disastrous to this issue than passion and feeling. At tlie request. of Mr. MacDonald he had invited Mr. Cosgrave and Sir Jas>. Craig to meet him in London. Mr Thomas said he still believed in the possibility of a peaceful settlement. Mr. Ronald McNeill (Conservative) asked if Mr. Thomas realised that theGovernmeit’s assumption that this was a, mere drafting oversight was not universal, and would be hotly contested. Mr. Thomas said lie was convinced that any legislation on this question would he hotly contested, but it must not be forgotten that the treaty had been not, merely ratified by Parliament but endorsed at the general election. Mr. Green, an Ulsterman, asked whether the Minister realised what it meant to introduce legislation to elect a self-governing State within the Empire. Mr. Thomas said it was a function of the Commission to decide the boundary. A distinguished judge of unquestioned impartiality and knowledge was now here, with the concurrence of the South African Government, and had visited North and South Ireland. It was not for the Government, to interfere with the function imposed upon him hv statute. Legislation would not be introduced until after the meeting with Mr. Cosgrave and Sir Jas. Craig. Mr. Wedgwood-Benn asked whether in the event of the introduction of a Bill being necessary it would be passed through all stages before the recess. Mr. Thomas said lie wanted nothing done that might hinder the possibility of a- settlement. For him to make such an announcement would have this effect, blit he emphasised the point that no step would be left untried to prove to the world conclusively before the rising bf Parliament what the Government intended.