IRISH ELECTIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 24 November 1931, Page 5

IRISH ELECTIONS

CAMPAIGN ISSUES.

(United Press Association.—By Electric

Telegraph.—Copyright.)

LONDONj November 23

The Statute of Westminster fulfuls the Irish Free State Government’s dopes so Duly that it may prove to he embarrassing, according to “The Time’s” Dublin correspondent. It removes, he says, the Irish Administration’s only point of dissatisfaction with the Anglo-Irish Treaty, regarding the right- of appeal, to tiie Privy Council, which right, /if the Statute is passed, the Fiee State will ‘ hasten to abolish. On the other hand, the Government prices the ’Treaty Constitution as a charter of national liberty. It is also fully alive to the advantages of the Irish Free State’s place in the British Commonwealth of Nations. The attitvcle of the Fianna Fail and also of Mr De Valera, however, constitutes nil embarrassment, “The Times” says, for, if the appeal to the Privy Council can he abolished, the remainder of the Treaty is not sacrosanct, and therefore both the Irish Treaty and the Free State Constitution will pi-obaly be challenged at the Irish General Election a few months iitJnck.

Tii& “Fianna Fail” says “The Times’’ is attacking the Treaty, repudiating land annuities, appealing to the farmers’ greed, and aiming at absolute aggressive independence. The party of President Cosgrave, on the other hand, plead that the abolition of the appeal to the Privy Council will be productive of complete independence, while yet enabling tbe Irish Free State to associate heartily in the British Commonwealth of Nations in rising fortunes.’’.