THE IRISH CRISIS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19128, 2 October 1924, Page 5

THE IRISH CRISIS

HEATED DEBATE IN THE COMMONS LONDON, Sept. 30. The House of Commons was crowded, and there was an animated scene when members reassembled to discuss the Irish Treaty Amending Bill.

Mr. Ramsay MacDonald received a Ministerial ovation on entering. Though the Irish question was nominally the only business of the special session, there was the usual batch of questions. The Hon. J. H. Thomas. Secretary for the Colonies, in regard to the position at Irak, emphasised the fact that there was no question of a state of war between Britain and Turkey. After detailing the position, the Premier said the British Government had not yet received a reply to its protests to the Turkish Government against invasion. He added that the local authorities had reported that the military situation was well in hand.

A Storm arose as the result of questions in regard to dropping the prosecution of Campbell, editor of the Workers* Weekly, for alleged incitement to the fighting forces to disobey orders. Sir Patrick Hastings said that as the result of careful investigation he Concluded that it was impossible to hold Campbell criminally responsible for publication. Sir Patrick Hastings emphatically denied that this decision was influenced by outside representations. Mr. MacDonald intervened when there were subsequent heated exchanges between the Conservatives and Labourites, nad declared that he was unwilling to allow that the explanation of the real circumstances of dropping the prosecution be delayed till the autumn. Eventually it was arranged that all parties debate the question next week, when the House of Lords is dealing with the Irish Bill. Mr. Baldwin hinted that the Opposition might move a vote of censure on the Government. Mr. MacDonald, in moving the second reading of the Irish Bill, declared that if the Bill was not introduced it was equavalent to the treaty lapsing. The Government had exhausted every effort to secure an agreement agreeable to both Irish parties, and he had not moved until he was convinced that nothing else was possible. Received October 1, 7.40 p.m. LONDON, Sept. 30. In moving the rejection of the Bill, Mr Reid took the orthodox Ulster line that no change in the boundary should be made without the consent of the Government concerned. Mr MacPherson (Liberal) who was Chief Secretary for Ireland when the 1020 Act was under discussion, supported rejection. He declared that a pledge was given to Ulster that she would be left her six counties. The debate was adjourned.

DISCUSSION IN COMMONS

LONDON, Sept. 30. Mr. Ramsay MacDonald appealed to all parties to help pass the Bill as a Bill of honour. He was of opinion in such case that it might never have to be brought into operation. Unanimity would be an Imperial appeal to Ulster to be magnanimously loyal to the compact upon the carrying out of which Irish peace depended. Messrs. Baldwin and Asquith announced that they could not oppose the second reading, the former stating that amendments would be moved in committee. It was a tragedy that the boundary question should be raised at a time when the whole of Ireland was considerably pacified.

THE BILL DISCUSSED

UNIONISTS MOVE IMPORTANT AMENDMENT. Received October 1, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, Sept. 30. Mr MacDonald read his Irish speech. Throughout it was a closely-argued historical resume, aiming at establishing the contention that the Government could not go behind the several votes jf Parliament refusing amendments which gave limiting instructions to the Boundary Commission. He said that without Article Twelve there would have been no settlement in December, 1921. Mr Baldwin argued that it was only on the assumption of the limited nature of Article Twelve that Parliament consented to it. Mr Robert O’Neill put the case for Ulster with moderation when he moved the rejection of the Bill, but he warned the House that there was danger of a conflagration if the Bill passed. Mr T. P. O’Connor said if Ulster k-pt Fermanagh and Tyrone with host .'e p pe’ati s • «• uld be a weakness as great as Alsa«-.*-i.o i.iinr. The idea that |H «ph could be g.n« rnrtl against th«'ir will had perished for ever. Mr lan MacPherson aroused angry dissent from the Liberal -nd Labour benches by the remarkable declaration that the pledge given to Ulster in 1920 was as binding as that given to the South. If the Government was sincere in bringing down a Bill to alter an unalterable treaty they should include terms of reference, clearly defining the powers and duties of the Boundary Commission. After the adjournment, the Unionists gave notice of an amendment making it the duty of the commissioners to adjust the boundary without substantially altering the area of Northern Ireland defined by the Act of 1920.