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Hokitika Guardian, 16 July 1932, Page 4

The position' as •between Britain and the Irish F'vep State, appears to- I e hastening to a 'climax so far as the latter is conc.rnod. Britain has imposed a special dut.v on Free State goodh imported to -Great Britain because the Free State Government has

refused to pay the land annuities'. The British Government will reimburse itself, at least' ip part hv the proceeds of the new duties tii-o-w' operating. ; The tree State has r.fabated by placing a duty on British g|>ods but ‘this action is only in .keeping with that' of the Government which' 1 refused to honour the promise re.atin.g- to the payment of the land annuities. . Nationally there is much, perturbation in i ' the Free 'State, and, it is interesting to note the Labour representatives are becoming . active. The Irish Labour Leader is conferring with the British Labour Leader. Although the British Labour party opposed the duties, .oohje sensible advice will probably be given tha visitor. The British Government has public opinion behind it, for' the people prefer to Honour the ' sanctity of contract.' Britain has shown '.her financial strength of late,, and she .has shown her diplomatic strength'on the Continent. If Ir.land is disposed to “cut the painter,”, well and good it is her own concern,—-but she will be parting from a very powerful factor, and without the British piestig© behind her the Irish Free State cannot prcspsr as she < has done in. the past. Doubtless before such a-contingency came to pass, despite.the dis'o-yal -and, dangerous element in the country, the people would speak in mess before such a oontingneey: should be invited. Mr. de Valera seems to-be puff'd up with office, )vhile hehind him he has the disloyal and dang roll's following which will? expect him to go even further than he had even thought. Really, 1 ' the settlement of the matter- is with the Irish people themselves, and when they have the opportunity to express their views matters will wear a very changed complexion. ■• ■ . v