IRISH AFFAIRS

Hokitika Guardian, 18 July 1932, Page 5

IRISH AFFAIRS

pf MR DE VALERA WELCOMED TO LONDON. (British Official Wireless.) .. . . ;- v ... - / ••'.Lir/r . ‘ ' k ■ i RUGBY, July 15. 1 String hopes are entertained' that a settl®nent of the differences ;", fi betw ean the Free-State and Britain may result from the discussions which opened tonight'’ at 10, Downing Street, between the Prime Minister and Mr de Valera, Mr de 'Valera, who, during his stay in London, is the guest'of the Government,; arrived 'from Dublin this evening in response to an intimation that the Prime Minister would be most happy to see him if he wished to discuss the present situation between the two countries, with a view to coming to a settlement. He was met on his arr’.val by 'Sir Thomas Inskip. : ‘j!he. meeting was brought about through-the intervention of Mr Wilinam .. Norton, leader of , the Irish Labour Party; -who, after meeting the leaders . of the British Labour Party in London last night, had 'an interview with Mr MacDonald.

Lord:'-Sankey, who is Acting-Secretary for Dominion Affairs in the abserfee of Mr J;H , Thomas in Ottawa, and Sir Thomas Tnskip wore present at 'last night'* meeting, which authorised Mr Norton' 1 to convey the intimation to Mr de Valefa of the Prim® Minister’s readi. ness to 'meet him. ■ , ' ( The offer of arbitration by an Empire tribunal, which was made to Mr do Valera during hj a last visit to London, having been rejected, the British Government felt that it had no option but to proceed witih its policy o'f collecting pioney by special duties on imports from the Free -State. The duties became operative (x>-day. Meanwhile the Emergency Tariffs Bril has been introduced in the Free State Dad, empowering! the 'Executive Council to impose 'Customs duties of’such amount as they think proper, and to-day, in the absence, of Mr de Valera, the Bill was passed through its final stages. The situation! thus created caused grave un-. easiness -in'- Ireland, which was greatly relieved: when Mr de Valera’s visit was announced. .'

The importance'of to-day’s debate in the Dai-1 was overshadowed by the prospect of the renewal of negotiations j which, Tt 1 was generally assumed, would i r ‘ be successful; A Labour deputy who asked for, an assurance that the Bill would be repealed immediately the proposed Arbitration' Court Ind terms of reference thereto had been agreed upon; L was infdi'faied 'VhaL the "Government had ■{A no desire' "that th 6 ' Bill' should remain “■ in force" longer lhan the Government , considered necessary. CONFERENCE. PROVES" ABORTIVE. DE, VALERA GiCHNC HOME. LONDON,. July 15. A 1 communique issued' from , Downing Street states that the conversation, begun between Mr .MacDonald and Mr .j de Valera was continued with Lord Sankey and .Sir - Thomas Insk'p. The situation between/ the countries was jT considered, but neither party was able to depart from the decision taken in the published despatches. Mr de Valera is' leaving' London .in the -morn'ng. HOW CONFERENCE FAILED, ' AN ARBITRATION' TRIBUNAL. . ' LONDON, July ,16. 1 It is learned that, the Downing Street Conference between the British and •Irish representatives first discussed the matter of an arbitration tribunal. Mr de Valera reiterated the demand for an „ international element in the tribunal on the annuities question. The Conference turned on Mr de Valera’s proposal that instead of an arbitration tribunal, both sides should agree to appoint representatives .who •would make.a joint investigation of the differences ; existing. . This would amount to a Committee of Negotiation, /» rather than one of arbitration.

It is understood; that it was indicated that- the British Government were prepared to enter into direct negotiations, but that as a preliminary to their doing so, they thought that the land annuities due on June 30th, which arc being kept in the Free State’s Suspense Account, should be paid forthwith.

This condition Mr de Valera rejected, though he expressed his wiTingne-s to begin negotiations on Monday. Mr de Valera argues that the money for the annuities is safe and intact, and that its payment should be subject to the result of the negotiations.

Tl'o British contended that the June 30th, instalment could be not be brought within the 'scope of the negotiations, f- which determine as to future • payments? u Eventually it wa,s realised that an agreement was not attainable. DE VALERA WELCOMED HOME. LONDON, July 16. Thousands of' people crowded the Dunloughaire quayside and cheered Mr de Valera on Ills arrival from England, iust as if the mission wore, a / complete success. : Mr de Va. ira waved his hut smil- ' itig'.y, and j lined the Ministers who ' were waiting at tha gangway, while the spectators shouted : “No.surrender ! Long live Sinn Fein!” j l ,. FREE STATE BlLli.’ : ' ,A V,- : DUBLIN,' July 15. When the Dail lEireann debate on the