THROUGH THE ARCHIVES: From the News Letter of December 1925

Ulster PM: ‘New era for north and south’
The Prime Minister of Northern Ireland Lord Craigavon speaking with Mr Robert Gransden the Secretary to the Cabinet in 1940The Prime Minister of Northern Ireland Lord Craigavon speaking with Mr Robert Gransden the Secretary to the Cabinet in 1940
The Prime Minister of Northern Ireland Lord Craigavon speaking with Mr Robert Gransden the Secretary to the Cabinet in 1940

The Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, Sir James Craig, had returned to Belfast from boundary negotiations in London on Saturday, December 5, 1925.

“I return happy and contented,” he declared, when congratulated by the Lord Mayor of Belfast on the result of the negotiations.

Subsequently, at Stormont Castle, Sir James Craig gave a short interview to a representative of the Belfast News Letter, in the course of which he remarked with much feeling: “The loyalty and affection of the people of Ulster, which I knew they bore in their hearts, have carried me through the strain and anxiety of the past three weeks, and I am most grateful for their encouragement and sympathy.” The bill to ratify the boundary agreement was to be taken in the Free State Chamber of Deputies. It was to be in the charge of Mr William T Cosgrave himself, and was expected to reach the Senate before the end of the week.

Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Dr Godfrey Brown presents his son Andrew with his A-Level certificates at the the prize day at Ballycastle High School in Co Antrim in December 1988. Picture: News Letter archivesModerator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Dr Godfrey Brown presents his son Andrew with his A-Level certificates at the the prize day at Ballycastle High School in Co Antrim in December 1988. Picture: News Letter archives
Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Dr Godfrey Brown presents his son Andrew with his A-Level certificates at the the prize day at Ballycastle High School in Co Antrim in December 1988. Picture: News Letter archives

In his interview with the News Letter Sir James said: “This agreement now reached is, I believe, the commencement of a new era, in which not only the governments, but the peoples of north and south, will work in friendship for the good of the country as a whole.”

The News Letter’s representative asked: “And may this agreement be taken as securing finality as far as the position of Northern Ireland is concerned?”

To which Sir James answered: “Absolutely, I believe. Of course, the authority of the Imperial government is supreme.”

He added: “Ulster is now mistress in her own house, in control of her own destinies.

Speaking at the annual prize distribution held in December 1988 at Ballycastle High School in Co Antrim the principal Mr Desmond McKeown said that government policy had forced schools into a position where “it is not just sufficient to compete in terms of sport, but to compete for existence”. The special speaker at the ceremony was Presbyterian Moderator Dr Godfrey Brown, who was accompanied by his wife. Maths cup winner Gillian McAllister shows her trophy to award winners Raymond Colgan, Rosemary Brown and Geoffrey McMullan. Picture: News Letter archivesSpeaking at the annual prize distribution held in December 1988 at Ballycastle High School in Co Antrim the principal Mr Desmond McKeown said that government policy had forced schools into a position where “it is not just sufficient to compete in terms of sport, but to compete for existence”. The special speaker at the ceremony was Presbyterian Moderator Dr Godfrey Brown, who was accompanied by his wife. Maths cup winner Gillian McAllister shows her trophy to award winners Raymond Colgan, Rosemary Brown and Geoffrey McMullan. Picture: News Letter archives
Speaking at the annual prize distribution held in December 1988 at Ballycastle High School in Co Antrim the principal Mr Desmond McKeown said that government policy had forced schools into a position where “it is not just sufficient to compete in terms of sport, but to compete for existence”. The special speaker at the ceremony was Presbyterian Moderator Dr Godfrey Brown, who was accompanied by his wife. Maths cup winner Gillian McAllister shows her trophy to award winners Raymond Colgan, Rosemary Brown and Geoffrey McMullan. Picture: News Letter archives

“The Council of Ireland has disappeared, and the powers in respect of Northern Ireland referred to in the Act of 1920 as exercisable by the council are transferred to the Ulster government.”

Meanwhile, the Lisnaskea Rural Council, this week in December 1925, had unanimously passed a resolution placing on record their appreciation and thanks to Sir James for his “valuable assistance” to his “loyalist followers” in Northern Ireland during “the crisis just past”.

Hope was expressed that “peace and goodwill” for the whole of Ireland would result.