29 DECEMBER 1923, Page 2

A commission set up by Mr. Cosgrave's Government has reported

against Protection for Southern Ireland. This is an ironic comment on the General Election. Mr. Baldwin rushed in. where Mr. Cosgrove has feared to tread. Warned by the sad fate of another Government, the Irish President seems in no hurry to apply the traditional Sinn Fein fiscal policy. Still he may have a good deal of difficulty in resisting the cries of his " patriots " for " infant Irish Industries." But if he does manage to resist them it will undoubtedly be a help towards a peacefully achieved Irish unity. Nothing would do more to split the South permanently from the Six Counties than a Customs barrier.