17. Major NEWMANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the Town Hall at Mallow, county 2854 Cork, has for some time past been in possession of the republican candidate for Parliament and his supporters, with a flag flying which has in other parts of Ireland been forbidden by the competent military authority; and will he say why a building maintained at the public expense and by the ratepayers, who are opposed to the establishment of an Irish republic, is allowed to be so utilised?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe town hall at Mallow is a house leased by the Mallow Urban Council from the town landlord. The Urban Council have rooms in it rented by the county surveyor, the Income Tax collector, and other persons. One room is rented to members of the Sinn Fein Club, which room is now the headquarters of the Sinn Fein electioneering party for the Parliamentary Division of North-East Cork. A Sinn Fein party flag is hung out each day, but this flag has not inscribed on it any letters, seditious or otherwise, but is merely a flag of three colours—green, white, and yellow.
§ Mr. SHORTTApparently the council has power to let the rooms if it wishes.