DESIRE FOR PEACE.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1922, Page 5

DESIRE FOR PEACE.

MOVE TO EIGHT IRELAND. BRITAIN DOING HER PART. CONSTITUTION BILL. SUPPORT FROM COMMONS. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Nov. 28. 7.40 p.m. London, Nov. 27. The second reading of the Irish Free State Constitution Bill was moved in the House of Commons to-day by Mr. Bonar Law. He said everyone desired that the treaty should be given a chance. The Lord Chief Justice and the law officers were of opinion that the Constitution was in accordance with the treaty. He recommended the Bill to the House, and did not express fear regarding the result. He hoped the Constitution would in every way be successful. Mr. Bonar Law said the Free State must work out its own salvation, but he hoped it would have the moral support that Britain never had in the last seven hundred years, and the two countries might enjoy good relations. “We must not give any excuse to the people of Ireland for thinking we are not fulfilling our part,” added the Premier. Mr. Cosgrave had told him that “whatever happens the people of Ireland are determined on peace with Britain.” Not only neutrals like himself, but opponents of the treaty, would rejoice as wholeheartedly as supporters of the treaty, if it was successful. LABOR’S SUPPORT. Mr. Ramsay Macdonald (Leader of the Labor Party) associated himself entirely with the Premier’s speech, and shared the hope that the treaty would bring goodwill end happiness to the spirit of conciliation which all past experiments governing Ireland had failed to produce. He hoped there would never be any attempt to define in rigid legal form the relationships between the Dominions. He was struck by the extraordinary number of new democratic experiments that the Irish Government proposed to make. Mr. Gretton asked with whom the treaty was made. There was a large body in Ireland who did not accept it as a final Settlement of the Irish question.

Sir John Simon warmly supported the Bill on behalf of the Independent Liberals. He said there was a real element of confidence and hope in the fact that the Constitution was drafted by Irishmen. Mr. Mac Neill repudiated a charge that he had taken office in order to ratify the treaty. He made it perfectly clear that, months ago, while he regarded the policy of the treaty disastrous and indefensible, he recognised that the mischeif was done and consequently Parliament had no choice but to pass it. Captain Craig, voicing Ulster’s opinion, regarded the treaty as a most dangerous document. He did not agree with the roey prophecies made by Mr. Saklatvala. He moved the rejection of the Bill, contending the treaty was based on coercion and signed under stress. The only cure for the Irish wrongs was the genuine right of self-determination. He would be no party to the treaty, which was a greater mockery than the Act of Union. Mr. Newbold seconded the rejection. Mr. Butcher contended the Bill did not enact the terms of the treaty and ought to be amended. ATTEMPT TO POSTPONE BILL. The debate was interrupted by Mr. Kenworthy moving the adjournment and drawing attention to the Government’s action in issuing a statement to selected newspapers regarding the police records of certain unemployed leaders, at the same time requiring the source of information to be kept secret. Mr. Kenworthy argued that the procedure wm highly improper. Mr Bonar Law explained that he issued the statement after reading the men’s speeches and the police records of some. The information was issued in order to influence public opinion in London when a riot was feared. The papers were informed that the Government did not wish to influence their opinion in any way and it could not be said that this was an at tempt to interfere with the liberty of the Press. Mr. J. H. Thomas said thd Premier’s action marked a continuance of a bad practice, which should be abolished. Mr. Bonar Law moved the closure, and Mr. Kenworthy’s motion was rejected, by 292 votes to 152. The Attorney-General (Mr. D. M. Hogg, K.C.), replying to criticisms, said Article 3 created a status hitherto unknown to the British constitution in any Dominion. Whether they went to Australia or Canada for a parallel, they would not find it in either. British subjects were sometimes not granted the rights of franchise or the privileges of citizenship. Mr. Bonar Law, replying to a question, said he agreed the constitution entitled the Free State to separate representation on the League of Nations. The Bill was read a second time.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. REBEL LEADERS CAPTURED. Received Nov. 28, 7.40 p.m. London, Nov. 27. Nationalists captured Humphrey Murphy, head of the republicans in Kerry, and four other leaders. WOMAN HUNGER-STRIKER. Received 28, 8.45 p.m. London, Nov. 27. Mary MacSwiney has been released and taken to the Mater Hospital, Dublin. Her sister Annie, when going to see her, collapsed and was removed to a nursing home.