ULSTER’S DECREE

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20422, 12 February 1938, Page 7

ULSTER’S DECREE

NO FUSION WITH EIRE UNIONISTS* BIG MAJORITY Unmistake able and final Vnlted Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright LONDON, Feb. li The Ulster election resulted in a sweeping victory for the Government, led by Viscount Craigavon, which gained two seats, one from Labour in Belfast and one from the Nationalists in Mourne, County Down. The results, with four returns to come, compared with the position after the election in 1033, are as follows :

•Four returns to come. The four results outstanding are not •xpected to be known until Monday. It is anticipated that at least three Unionists will be returned, giving Lord Craigavon's party 38 6eats. Lord Craigavon in a message thanks the loyalists and says: “Mr de Valera again presumed to dictate terms to the Imperial Government for the severance of Ulster from the United King dom. That question is for Ulster to decide. Your answer is unmistakeable and final. ** Ulster will not exchange its unity with the United Kingdom for unity with Southern Ireland. We have surely seen the end of uncertainty regarding our constitutional status.'* Mr Do Valera’s Comment Mr de Valera, In a statement, said: ** The results could have been forecast a month ago. The fundamental fact is that the territory of the Irish nation is partitioned against the will °t the vast majority of the people. " Ireland s most sacred province also is partitioned, six counties being cut off from the other three because Viscount Craigavon's party could not secure a safe majority in Ulster as a whole. It is only in the City of Belfast and the area adjoining it that there is a majority in favour of partition. “ Lord Craigavon makes a mistake. The recovery of the lost counties will be the first item on the agenda of everv Anglo-Irish conference.”

1938 1533 Unionists 35 37 Ind. Unionists .. 2 2 Nationalists .... 8 9 Labour 1 2 Ind. Labour .... 1 — f ianna Fail .... — 1 Republican .... — 1 Independent .... 1 •48 52