ULSTER PARLIAMENT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16684, 16 March 1922, Page 2

ULSTER PARLIAMENT.

RESTORING ORDER IN BELFAST. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, March 14. The Premier. Sir James Craig, speak, ing in the Ulster Parliament, said the Government’s attitude on the boundaries question had not .altered. They could not consent to any change of boundary fixed by the 1920 Act. They must recognise tho fortitude of the people of Ulster in the face of provocation. The nearest approach to the conditions in Belfast were those on the Rand. He pledged his word that whatever scheme Field-Marshal Sir Henry Wilson recommended would be carried out regardless of cost or consequences. Sir James Craig opposed the suggestion of martial lave. Ho felt instinctively, he said, that if the conduct of the city affairs were handed over to- the military, who controlled through Dublin from Westminster, it would mean a return to the old chaos. 'The new Bill would strengthen the law. It empowered the courts, in certain cases, to order convicted males to he flogged. The kidnapped people had been released except the specials arrested at Clones. These could secure release immediately, hut on unacceptable and humiliating terms. They must be released unconditionally. (While a party of special constables was waiting on the platform of the Clones (Monaghan) station for tbe arrival of the Belfast train, intending to proceed to Inniskillen, a party of the Irish Republican Army, armed with rifles and machine-guns, entered the platform and opened fire, killing four constables and wounding anti taking prisoners the others. The outrage created intense excitement in Belfast. The Sinn Fein version of the Clones station shootings stated that the Republican Army occupied the station prior to tho arrival of the Belfast train containing the Ulster special constables The Republicans demanded the constables to surrender. Those in first carriage obeyed, but tbe others opened fire on tho Republicans. killing the commandant. Tbe Republicans returned the fire, killing four. The remaining specials were taken prisoner.)