The New York herald., 1922-12-13


Copsaf1ht, 1859, by THE NEW YORK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.
Dublin. Dee. H.
Both Houses of the Irish Parliament
met in joint session to-day TO hear the
first speech by ov.Gen. Healy. who
after reading message from kirg
George, outlined the Legislative pro-
gram which the Cabinet has prepared
for the Irish Free State.
This program is one of wide scope
and includes a reform of the judicial
system, the question of. land purchase
and compensation for damages. regu-
larizing the civil police and the national
army, the electoral franchise and
patent laws 1t also mentions blu
conforming to promise of the late
Michael Collins about granting amnesty
TO British soldiers who took part in the
fighting before the truce was signed
Contrary to the custom at Westnlin-
ster the members did not rise when the
Kings message was read. but neverthe-
less 1t was warmly appiauded. 1t was
said afterward that tile reason the
members did not rise was because II
was more in the nature Of a personal
message to Governor General Healy. 1t
read Wa
1T is my earnest hope that, by
pact so concluded peace and prosperity
in ireland may be secured. In the spirit
of that settlement l have chosen you
TO be the first representative of the
Crown in the Irish Free State. With
all my heart / pray that the blessing
of God may rest upon you and the
Minister'S of the Irish Free State In the
difficult task committed to your charge.
Members of the labor party in both
houses refrained from attending the ses-
sion as a protest against a representa-
tive of the British crown being IN an
Irish Parliament. When the Governor
General and the Senate had retired the
labor members took their seats. -Four
labor members of the Senate. afterward
voted viva voce against returning thanks
to the Governor-G General for his speech.
DUBLIN, Dec. IL (Associated Press).
--Governor-G General Healy's address III
part follows:
To-day you enter into the fullness
of your partnership in liberty with the
nations cooperating in coequal member
ship in the great commonwealth Of free
PEOPLES j meet YOU on this momentous
day with sentiments of the deepest emo
tion. charged by his majesty to asso-
ciate myself as his representative with
the task which, after many years of
hard pressed clains. becomes yours alone
and unquestioned by the effect of the
treaty made year ago"
Mr. Healy then ailn led to the Con-
stitution having been devised conform
ing TO those modes of constitutional ,ex-
preston common to your partner ma
tions" under which the yearning for the
recreation OF the national life and iden-
tity of ireland lin language. thought,
literature and art, her. social and eco
nonic development and tor the assur-
ance of happiness and prosperity is Of
fered the utmost free play"
Referring to the Irregular troops, the
Gorernor-General said that unhapply
small number of them still had not
bowed to the will of the majority and
were engaged in hostile operations,
spreading ruin broadcast by their at
tcmpts to impose their will upon the
majority by means of terror and de-
struction.
The problem OF unemployment, Mr.
Healy declared. had been enhanced to
an incalculabe extent by the fury or
destruction (which is the manner of
war now being waged upon the people"