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Hokitika Guardian, 24 March 1932, Page 4

Tut; position in regard to the immediate I mure of the liisii Kice State iii snadowed by the extreme actions of the new Government since attaining office. Air de Valera, is bent on undoing much that was accomplished by the loyalty and fidelity of Air Cosgiave to the treaty obligations. Rut party strife can be very biller in Ireland, and there is the prospect of a serious revival in that respect. There is a very extrej'ne element in 1; eland, hence the unpopularity of the previous administration which sought to enforce domestic peace. But some of the elements were only driven underground, and are again in being in the open. The new Government by the statements of the Ministers have good ground for fearing further trouble in Southern Ireland. The Government means to alolilsh the oath of allegiance, despite treaty conditions, and also to repudiate sanctioned payments to Britain. Three suggested acts give ground for grave apprehension ns to the future, and the reversal of tho policy which gave pence and goodwill to the country may lmvo a very ominous effect. 11)0 lawless individuals whom the laws of the previous Government put in prison for the public safety, have been roloasod, and received ais’ heroes. The law hauS been flouted also by the open drilling of the “Republican Army,” which had been declared an illegal body. Yet this militant force was permitted to parade through Dublin, and the police ordered to- control traffic for the occasion. This topsv turvv change suggests that the air is charged with dancer, for the- next move may but add to the seriousness of the situation. It has been suggested that there are two safeguards which may serve as nn effective check on Republican zeal. In the first place, de Valera has not am absolute majority in the Dail, but depends on the support of the Independents and the Labour members, who are far more K seriously concerned about social and industrial reform than about the Oath or the Treaty. And, secondly, Britain, if she finds the Treaty abrogated to her grave disadvantage, can use her new tariff system with effect by instituting an economic boycott against Ireland, and so bringing de Valera and his friends to reason. Yet-, even this process means a clash, and tho upshot will be troublous times for a period at least.