July 18 1925
Despite the new spirit of tolerance and good will which is gradually manifesting itself in the people of the north-east, and the comparative cordiality on the part of the average “man in the street” if not on that of his rulers, towards the Free State, there still remains a long road to travel before we are likely even to come within measurable distance of the goal of Irish unity.
Time will, doubtless, smooth away the differences, lessen the sharpness of the divisions between north and south to a point where the opposing views may better lend themselves to mutual adjustment than is the case at present.
At least it can be said that we are progressing further towards this goal under the existing conditions of law and order, on both sides of the border, than ever we could have hoped to reach when the gun and bomb were the only political arguments recognised.
Meanwhile, too much importance can hardly be attached to any matter where identity of interests brings both sections of the population together, as, for instance, the question of the development of the tourist traffic.
A considerable amount of well-expended energy is being displayed by the two organisations – in Belfast and Dublin – who have this matter in hand, but it is as remarkable as it is to be regretted that these efforts – on this side of the border, at any rate – have so far aroused but little interest, let alone practical support, among the general public.
The founding of any new industry – or, as in this case, the reviving of an old one fallen more or less into decay – is invariably something of an uphill game; there is a tendency, not of course confined to Ireland, to adopt an apathetic attitude towards all schemes of development, however much their value may be realised, until such time as a tangible result becomes really evident.
Whatever the differences may be between northerners and southerners, however divergent their aims, their ideals, their outlook on life, there is one thing at least which is common to both – the possession of a country second to none as a holiday ground.
Cooperation on tourism and other matters common to both jurisdictions provided an opportunity, not necessarily to bring about Irish unity, but to foster better relations between both jurisdictions and take some of the rancour out of the division.