DRASTIC CHARGES

Hokitika Guardian, 11 June 1932, Page 5

DRASTIC CHARGES

IN OATH BILL ALTERS POLITICAL SITUATION., (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, June 9. . As the result of clia<vt.e changes in tne Bill for the, removal of the Oath in the Senate, the whole political situation in the Free State lias undergone a considerable change. At the, outset, Mr D© Valera, was asked whether in view of the discussions now proceeding with the British Government on the difficulties which have arisen regarding .the. negotiations in connection with the Ottawa Conference, further consideration of th e Bill .would be deferred. He .replied that the Government’s attitude to the Oath Bill remained unchanged, and the amendment to the effect that the operation of the Bill should be postponed until after an agreement was reached with Britain, I could not possibly be accepted.

The debate accordingly proceeded.

If the Dail rejects the amending Bill, eighteen months must elapse before the Bill can be re-introduced and passed, despite the Senate’s opposition, Alternately, Mr Be Worn- might decide to declare an immediate general election. Newspapers think the latter course 19 unlikely, DE VALERA GOING TO LONDON. RUGBY. June 9. Mr De Valera is travelling to London to-night to resume the discussions with Ministers on the difficulty between the, two countries in relation to the negotiations in connection with' the Ottawa Conference. Mr Thomas and a representative of the Prime. Minister will be among these meeting him when he arrives at an early hour to-morrow. During the discussions lie will' be the luncheon guest of the Prime Minister at 10 Downing .Street. It 'is expected that he will return to Dublin in the evening.

NO agreement! CONFERENCE CONCLUDED. (Received this day at 8 a.rn.) LONDON, June 10. The Irish Conference has concluded. No agreement was reached. Conversations commenced at 11.30 and adjourned at 1.20 and were .resumed after lunch. The-e is not the slightest indication of the lin e taken in the discussions. Nobody .emerged from the building at lunch time, but there was some change of plans, because previously it was de Valera’s intention» to devote the afternoon to sight seeing. ,

HIS ARRIVAL IN LONDON. CORDON ROUND SLEEPING CAR LONDON, June 10. Cheers of the large crowd mingled with some hooting,' greeted the de Valera party on its arrival at Euston where they were met by Mr J. H. Thomas, and Mr Malcolm MacDonald afterwards breakfasting together. Exceptional precautions were taken to guard the sleeping car wherein the party remained for some hours after its arrival. A large squad of railway officials, police and Scotland Yard specials forming a cordon.

"CAUSE OF THE BREAKDOWN

THOMAS PLEADS WITH VALERA

LONDON, Juno 10. The “Sun” learns that the breakdown was due to de Valera’s’insistence on rght to abolish the Oath and Britain’s insistence that it would violat & the treaty. The discussions, which never progressed beyond this point, were doomed from the outset when it was abundantly clear that th e views were poles apart. Britain actually hinted he>’ willingness to submit the annuities question to an Empire tribunal. The question was never seriously discussed because the Oath deadlock rendered the position hopeless. Meanwhile, th e Ottawa position is complicated. It is understood that Mr .Bennett’s pressure is primarily responsible for the Anglo-Irish meeting. Mr Bennett hoped that conversations would clear the atmosplhere. Crowd* at Whitehall, many waving Irish flags, vociferously (cheered do Val'era when motoring to the train where there' was a dramatic climax. Mr Thomas, sitting in the compartment facing de Valera, was soon, leaning across the table talking, and shaking his forefinger, a'cflnrnctemtic gesture, pleading with de Valera for ten minutes. De Valera silently leant back without speaking, obvious'y unmoved. The guard’s shrill whistle terminated the drama, and Mr Thomas rose, fihook hands, and stepped to the platform where he removed his hat and wiped his brow in a gesture of despair.