The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1932. THE IRISH ISSUE.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 April 1932, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1932. THE IRISH ISSUE.

The attitude of the Irish Free State i-s bringing matters to a climax in respect to the inclusion of the nation within the Empire. Mr de Valera and his Government take up the view that its intentions would not involve any violation of the treaty, and that the oath is a domestic matter of concern only to tire people of the Tree iState. As an exchange remarks, it has been made very plain that tno British Government will not accept isuch a contention, and that it can hope for an endorsement of it from tne other dominions of the British Commonwealth. The Governments of the dominions have shown a genuine concern over tin; position which Mr de Valera is creating, and in that spirit have offered, his Government advice as friendly m H is sound. Their counsel has been, dictated not less In the interest of Ireland than in till interest, of the British Commonwealth. The reply which the New Zealand Government lias received to its cabled despatch to the Free State Government reveals Mr de Valera clinging, however, with uncompromising persistency to an untenable position. He refers) to the right of the Free State as “a distinct and separate nation.” But the Free State is not a .separate nation. Tt is a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations, and in accordance with its status as such joins with the other dominions in a common allegiance to the Crown which its. the link that binds the Empire together. Mr de Valera and his Government are going the right way to separate the Free State from the British Commonwealth, and vet profess to wish to carry on in friendly on-operation for mutual benefit with the members of that community. But they must be prepared for, and accept, the of their actions. There are no remorseless fetter, c which bind the Free State or any ether dominion in such a way as to prevent its cutting itself loos-e from the British Commonwealth. But it must.lie a case of either partnership or of non-partnership. If there is to be a, bargain it cannot he owe sided, nor one in which either party alone may say what is right or not. The Ti'itdi Free State may not make its own terms now. The conditions as they subsist- were laid down in solemn compact, and the parties to the treat.v are expected to observe that, agreement. The State is free to go its own way, if it will, hut that way will be outside the privileges and protection of tlu* Empire. Probably tliis aspect is not fully realised yet. The public opinion voiced so far is I hat only of the Government party. There must lie a volume of public opinion -.dill to he heard from Ireland of men who realise where the fjiiialicai leadership cf Mr de Yah-ra would lead the people. Hi' has with him a violent party of hot-lmads who |ijiye shown a djsm'-'ii ; on to go to extremes, and I he President has sa |,; so much (I'"! hi- ardent followers will f'riv" I’m on. Del. ns hope he mav vet iv-cape tlm preripr-n. Tim mailer will go before the Dail shortly. TP-s exclianff.' n'’ onii i nis thus nu>> |j n,r a full realisation ol the <‘on->-(>Miiences II I he I' l l'.. S-telo repudiates alleclanee to the British Empire. The , nr.M-t of sill'll a step will rellei't far iU ,,| «id not "'ilv in the personal •:pi>l ic:it inn to I hr Irish "nnoln. hot in I I ;, ml ••■imnicn r o il h I he Empire. \|'t"!' all he I mi n I he tames is a dolin',' I m 'tier, and t hi- p"< I’’" and , 1( ,l j lie Govern' mid must ■ 1111 ■ d tin n. - • ‘ I '■ ns. Th" I'Ol.s.' pmin-ns of me iU .| i,,n ttill he mi lliem. and if (, "' v tt-e'mli th" pi -ith.ii a right. Irish wisdom should assert itself, ami the Govern-

ment made to undo:stand the risk incurred in the .step it is disposed to take.