IRISH GOVERNMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 30 October 1929, Page 3

IRISH GOVERNMENT

RELIES ON DOMINION STATUS. United Press Association—By Electric leleg. ~ph—-Copyright) LONDON, October 29. The present Government of the Irish Free State is not out to get a republic, said Hon, Mr Blythe, the Minister of Finance, when speaking, at Clonmel. He continued: While the Free State is a Dominion, coequal with Australia,- Canada, and New Zealand, no ■ British • Government; can in any way encroach upon its rights. The Irish Government is not pursuing any policy, looking for another round with Britain, but. is ready to assert and to' make clear, in evety respect, ' the'' status of sove/ dignity which has been attained by every •British Dominion.

One danger oftbe present political status, he said, was that they might be dragged, perhaps passively, into some-war in which,Britain is involved,, because of India or Egypt, where the \>t,orp.e J <s did rmt concern them. The Free State Government were -trying to avert that danger, by other means, and wero using; such international influence as they could to prevent future war. The. Free State had sent delegates to the League of Nations, a d maintained Ministers in other r.oi->n+r> s jn order that the world might know, if fhe worst happened, that the Irish Free State was no dependent of England, but was an ancient nation with its own ideals and interests; .. •