IRISH QUESTION

Hokitika Guardian, 14 April 1932, Page 5

IRISH QUESTION

PRESS COMMENT

TONE OF BRITISH NOTE.

(United Press Association.—By Electric

Telegraph.—Copyright.?

LONDON, April 13. “The Times’s” correspondent at Dublin expresses the opinion that the friendly tone- of the British despatch will be welcomed in some quarters.

y Nevertheless, he says: The extreme j gravity of the situation is obvious. The Free 'State Cabinet will not consider the British despatch immediately. It, may not reply to it until the renj'oval of the oath is accomplished. The “Daily Herald” urges the Jimipire tribunal envisaged at the last Imperial Conference to set to work immediately and thus avoid a quarrel harmful to both Britain and Ireland. The “News Chronicle” says : Mr J. H. Thomas’s replies to President He Valera are sensible and temperate, the most effective passage being a reminder that the Free State participated in notable constiutional developments by which the position of the 1 Dominion, as equal members with the ' United Kingdom of t.he Commonwealth of Nations, had been defined to the \vorld. President Do ValernV attempt to represent Ireland as the depressed and oppressed victim of British Imperialism, once true enough, will not hear examination now. The clock cannot thus be put back. The “Daily Telegraph’s” lobbyist says: The Ministerialists agree that the next step iii the Irish dispute must he taken by President De Valera. The firm tone of the British note is completely approved. It is recognised that the Government is on solid ground in reference both to the oath and the annuities. The Government is prepared to consider any further representations from Dublin. It is unlikely that there will be any debate in the House of Commons till after the meeting of the Dail Eireann next , week.

ABOLITION OF OATH

PROPOSAL IN BRITAIN

LONDON, April 13. Mr McGovern, the Glasgow M.P., lias given notice that he will introduce a Bill in the House of Commons on April 20th. designed to abolish the oath in the British Parliament. The text of the Bill has not yet been drafted, but according to the “Sketch’s”

lobbyist, it will contain a conscience

clause, permitting Republicans who object to a monarchy to take their seats - without taking any oath, but will not deprive members from taking the oath who Wish to do so.

THE POSITION OF ULSTER

(Received this day at 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, April 13. Craigavon has unexpectedly arrived in London, it is believed, in connection with Ulster’s anxiety concerning the Irish crisis. He will see Mr J. H. Thomas and Sir Herbert Samuel in the afternoon.

Interviewed, Lora Craigavon said ' that h? did not attribute too much to Mr Thomas’ statement regarding a united Ireland, which, perhaps, wais rather an unhappy phraseology, but he was sure that it could be straightened out. The Attorney-General, /accompanied Lord Craigavon, who returns to Eelfast to-morrow.