IRISH RULE.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 June 1921, Page 5

IRISH RULE.

ULSTER PARLIAMENT. THE KING TO OPEN SESSION. THE CABINET ANNOUNCED, By Telegraph.—Press. Assn.—Copyright. London, June 7. The Northern Parliament was opened at Belfast in the Council Chambers of the City Hail in the presence’ of a distinguished company. None of the Sinn Fein or Nationalist members attended. Lord Fitzalan, the Viceroy’ of Ireland, replying to the address of welcome, said he came among them at a momentous time in Irish history. He joined in the desire for peace and goodwill and hoped to-day’s events would be the forerunner of happiness and prosperity for Ireland. The Hon. Robert Hugh O’Neill, M.P., Was unanimously elected Speaker. Members took the oath at the table used by Speaker Foster, the last Speaker of the Irish House of Commons in 1799. Sir James Craig, Prime Minister, announced the constitution of the Cabinet as follows: — Sir Dawson Bates, Home Secretary. Mr. H. M. Pollock, Minister of Finance. The Marquis of Londonderry, Minister of Education. Mr. J. M. Andrews, Minister of Labor. Mr. F. A. Archdale, Minister of Agriculture. Sir James Craig announced that the King would open Parliament on June *22. Sir Hamar Greenwood, writing to Sir James Craig, regrets his inability to attend the opening of the Ulster Parliament, which he describes as a historic, decisive and beneficient event in the history of the United Kingdom and the Empire. He adds, “You are now a full partner in the self-governing Empire and I look forward to the time when Southern Ireland will also enter full partnership in our great Commonwealth of Nations. Irishmen have now the power to settle their own affairs and bring peace and prosperity to their own country. I join the whole English-speaking world in hoping for the success of the Crown’s efforts.”