IRISH TARIFF

Hokitika Guardian, 23 March 1932, Page 6

IRISH TARIFF

BRITISH EMPIRE EXEMPT.

THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE

(United Press Association. — By ElectricTelegraph.—Copyright.)

(Received this da> at 9.25 a tu) DUBLIN, March 22

The Britsh Empire is exempted from the first tariff that has been imposed by the new Free State Government one of nine pence per pound upon imported flowers.

“Mr Duggan’s statement on -March JOth that I either drafed or had anything to do with the drafting of the oath is a faalsehood,” says President De Valera when interviewed. “Michael Collins told me that Lord Birkenhead drafted the oath, adding, as he passed it to Collins: “The greatest piece of prevarication in history.”

IMPORTANT DOCUMENT RECEIVED

MR THOMAS’ STATEMENT.

LONDON, March 22

In. the House of Commons, Mr J. H. Thomas (Secretary for the Dominions) announced that he had received from the Irish High Commissioner a most important and serious document, and he would take the earliest opportunity of giving an official rejfiy. This followed dramatically Mr Wedgwood’s question whether his attention had bqen called to the position in Ireland, and would he say when the next payment of land purchase annuities were due. Mr Thomas assured his questioner that relations between Britain and the Free State rested on the Treaty. The next payment of annuities is due late in June.

LLOYD GEORGE’S DISBELIEF

LONDON, March 2-2.

Mr Lloyd George declines to- believe that Lord Birkenhead called the Irish oath of allegiance “a piece’ of prevarication.” He adds that- Lord Birkenhead, and everyone concerned, regarded the oath as cardinally important, and made reference to the Crown as a link of Empire.