IRISH FREE STATE

Hokitika Guardian, 3 December 1931, Page 5

IRISH FREE STATE

AND WESTMINSTER STATUTE. {■United Press Association.-— By Electric Telegraph .—Copyright. ] t ... •• ’'V • LONDON, December 2. In the House of Lords, during the committee stage of the -Statute of Westminster Bill, Lord Danesfort moved a new clause to the effect that nothing .therein shall affect the right of nppea. 1 from the Irish Free State Supreme Court to the Privy Council. Lord Hailsham said that such a clause would not serve those that Lord Danesfort was seeking to champion. The real objection to his clause was not only the Irish Free State’s objection, but the .objection of other Dominions on the ground that such' a provision would be a derogation from, and a contradicition of, the constitutional position of the Dominions, under the (Balfour Declaration. The British Parliament had no constitutional right under that Declaration to impose limitations and qualifications upon the drish Free -State. Lord Birkenhead agreed that the clause suggested was not in the best ■interests of the Empire. Lord Danesfort withdrew his motion. He said he hoped that President Cosgrave would htsitat© before legislating to' abolish the right of appeal to the Privy Council. Lord Middleton said he doubted whether Lord Danesfort represented anv strong -body of the South ot Ireland loyalists on ■ the subject. He said President C-osgrave had. shoun lov.nltv to the Treaty in regard to the inteiests of 'the minority m Ireland land an acceptance of any -amendment to the Statute would revive the suspicion that Britain wanted to reassert its authority in the South of Ireland. After 'Lord Danesfort’s motion was withdrawn, .the Bill was passed throng i the committee stage.