The first House of Commons of Northern Ireland met in
the City Hall, Belfast, on Tuesday, in the presence of the Viceroy, Lord FitzAlan. Major Hugh O'Neill was elected Speaker, and Sir James Craig entered upon his duties as Prime Minister. The Viceroy announced that the election of Senators would take place on Saturday, and that Parliament as fully consti- tuted would meet on June 22nd. At the invitation of the new Cabinet, the King consented to attend in state to perform the opening ceremony. The Viceroy, at a luncheon given after the meeting, spoke some plain truths about the state of Ireland. " Before we can hope to see Ireland prosperous, as she has a right to be, the sin of murder must be eradicated." He warmly defended the au-riflery police against many abominable charges untruthfully made to their discredit. A few auxiliaries had been guilty of crimes, but the force as a whole was now under proper discipline. He knew, he said, that Ulster had not desired the Home Rule Act, which " wanted amending already," but Ulster had done well to accept it. The twelve Nationalist and Sinn Fein members, some for political and some for graver reasons, stayed away.
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