NEW FREE STATE CONSTITUTION

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 82, 30 December 1937, Page 7

NEW FREE STATE CONSTITUTION

-Press Assn.-

Eire Does Not Apply tp Northern Ireland DUBLIN CELEBRATI0N

(By Telegraph-

-Oopyright.)

(Received 30, 1.3Q p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 20. The Government has issued a statement that it is prepared to treat the new Irish Constitution as not effpcting a fundamental aiteration in tbe position of the Free State as a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations. The Government has ascertained that the Governments of Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa concur. The Government does not recognise that the adoption of the name of Eire implies jprisdiction over Northern Ireland, which will remain an integral part of the United Kingdqm. Ejre only applies to the area known as the Free State, In celebration of the new Constitutiqn, a salute of 21 guns was fired at Dublin, Mr De Valera and Ministers, with a cavalry escort, drove frpm Government buildings to the Cathedral, where High Mass was celebrated. All denominations held special services. The Irish Press says: "Eire is mistress of her own destiny. British connection belongs to the dead past." The Irish Times says, however, that the removal of the King's name from the Constitution can be regarded as eyewash. The citizens of Eire will continue to be treated as citizens of the British Commonwealth of Nations, just as if they were Australians or New Zealanders. The Times Dublin correspondent, describing the new constitution, savs that the Xing will not perform any fnnction in internal affairs, but will be "recognised" for purposes of external representation. The first act will be the King's approval of the appointment of an Eire Minister to Italy, Tecognising the Emperorship of Abyssinia. A British official wireless message states: Dublin messages report the holding of Catholic, Jewish and Protestant services there to-day in connection with the inauguration of the Constitution approved by the Free State Parliament in June. Mr. De Valera and other Ministers attended a service at the Pro-Cathedral, and the occasion was also marked by military hpnours. The Chief Justice took the oath as prescrlbea in. the Constitution.