Evening star., 1924-07-20
ULSTER NOW PEACEFUL
AFTER CENTURIES STRIFE
Great Religious Fervor Now Dominates
All People-Prosperity General
Over Ireland.

vival OF the country's industries. 1
would like to emphasize, however,
that that is merely the observation
OF an outsider and that 1 have not
the slightest desire or intention to
criticize the Free State leaders,
us the boycott against Ulster by
the south still in effect in any way?"
Absolutely not. 1t has completely
disappeared. The people of the Free
State are buying our goods freely
and our travellers are cordially re-
ceived in every county OF the south.
have not heard of single case
will but, on the contrary, are well
coined everywhere. Free State goods
are also coming freely into Ulster.
but, of course, they are almost en-
tirely confined to dairy and farm
products
What is the industrial situation in
Ulster?'
Making Steady Progress.
I'VE are making steady progress
but, of course, we have long way
the terrific setback which was caused
by the war. AS you know, linen
manufacture is our greatest industry
and we are still very much hampered
by the practical disappearance OF
Russia from the fax market. Before
the war eleven-twelfths OF our fax
came from the Russian empire. while
xuyhi oh
ceiving from that source is almost
negligible and there seems very little
prospect that Russia will again be-
come a big hax-producing country at
least for a long time. The Baltic
provinces. which include the new
states, such as Latvia and Esthonia
are producing steadily and we are
getting a fair supply from Belgium
and Holland. Just at present our
linen factories are quite busy, due
to the demand for piece goods. But
we have a long way to go before we
reach the high-water mark OF 140,-
100000 yards, which was touched In
1872 However, the growth in the
last few years has been fairly salts
factory. In 1922 we produced A.
600. 900 yards, in 1928 100000
yards and 1 estimate our production
this year will be about 100000.
Shipyards Are Busy.
"our next biggest industry is, OF
course, our shipbuilding. AS you
know, many of the greatest liners in
the world have been built in Belfast
and 1 think we will be able to main
tain our standing in this direction
The yards are employing about as
many men today as before the war
and, in fact, there is little unemploy-
ment anywhere in Northern Ireland
The whisky industry, which is also
one of our major activities, is quite
prosperous, but" added Mr.. Webt
with a smile, II am not interested In
that industry, SO you need not ask me
who the customers are"
rs the northern government doing
anything to develop the natural re-
sources of Ulster?"
"Yes, indeed, a very elaborate plan
is being developed by Sir Samuel
Kelly for the exploiting Of the coal
mines at Dunngannon. There are very
valuable coal deposits in that district
and the men interested believe thai
we have there a possible supply fol
all the larger industries of Northern
Ireland. Plans are also being made
for the development of our wate,
power. but we do not know yet what
will be possible in that direction"
"Is the boundary question likely tc
become serious issue between the
north and south?''
Now you are touching on p2litics,'
said Webb L.an6 L do not want