2 APRIL 1921, Page 3

The Privy Council on Thursday, March 24th, fixed May 3rd

as the " appointed day " for bringing the Government of Ireland Act into operation. Proclamations will then be issued sum- moning the Northern and Southern Irish Parliaments to meet. The elections will be held in May, and the Northern Parliament, it is said, will meet about June 21st. The Nationalists propose to contest all the Ulster constituencies, but will not allow any of their candidates who may be elected to take their seats—a typically Irish way of recognizing the Act while refusing to profit by it. We may still hope that the Ulster Nationalists will regain their sense of humour before June.