IRISH BOUNDARY DISPUTE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19007, 7 May 1924, Page 11

IRISH BOUNDARY DISPUTE

ULSTER’S LEGAL POSITION.

LONDON, May 5. In connection with the boundary question, Lord Birkenhead advised Sir James Craig to appoint a member to the Commission, blit Sir James Craig refused, contending that Nothern Ireland was not a party to the Treaty. Legal experts regard this position as untenable, as they point out that the Treaty creating the Free State was embodied in an Imperial Act passed in 1922, and virtually amends the Home Rule Act Of 1920, under which Northern Ireland was constituted.

The bulk of the public and press Opinion ih England is strongly Opposed to any attempt to coerce Ulster, but Labourites and Liberals are sympathetic with the Free State s demand for the appointment of the Boundary Commission. Though the hotheads on both sides In Ireland are talking of war, it is believed that a compromise will ultimately be arranged. One suggestion is that the Free State should waive for ten years the settlement of the boundary conditional on the British Government waiving for a decade its financial claims against the Free State.

The Hon. Mr. Thomas, speaking at Derby, said that the boundary question could not be solved by abusing Irish leaders. There must not be talk of another war or another attempt to coerce Ulster. He had refused to disclose to Parliament the proposals that the Labour Government submitted to the Irish Conference on April 24, because they were included in a private document. It was not intended to treat the Treaty as a scrap of paper; the Government would honour it in the spirit and Ln the letter. —Sydney Sun cable. LONDON, May 5.

In the House of Commons, the Hon. J. H. Thomas announced that, following on the appointment of a Free State representative to the Irish Boundary Commission, His Majesty's Government requested the Northern Ireland Government to make a similar appointment. Steps are being taken to appoint a chairman.