IRISH AFFAIRS

Hokitika Guardian, 21 October 1932, Page 5

IRISH AFFAIRS

DE VALERA REPORTS ON NEGOTIATIONS. (United Prerj Association—By Electrit Telegraph—Copyright.) DUBLIN, October 19. In the Dail Eireann, Air Eamonn de Valera (President of the Executive Council of the Irish Free State) reviewed the recent London negotiations. Ho said that as they meant to see if it would be possible to reach a comprehensive settlement of the future relations between the two countries, he had advanced their claim, which should he advanced whenever there wi.« a question of arriving at an ultimate financial settlement. The discussions, said Air de Valeria, showed that the British admit Ireland’s claims to justice. He continued: “Possibly, if wi had gone in the role of beggars with our hats in our hand, asking for consideration and for charity, there might have been a disposition to make minor modifications in some mitigation of our claims, but simple justice they were not prepared to concede. They take the stand of the inviolability of their secret documents of 1923 and 1926, and they refuse to budge from them!”

Mr de Valera then read a passage trom Mr J. H. Thomas’ statement, and isin.id that he concluded that the present British Government were being pressed forward by certain antiIrish feeling in Britain, supported by five attitude of a minority in the Free State, which was not prepared to examine the position on its merits or to yield to the claims of justice.”

A COMPARISON. LONDON, October 19. Tn the Hail Eireann, Mr de Valera stated that while tlie British Government were playing the part of Shylock towards the Irish Free State, they were petitioning America to release them from their debts, and playing the “lady bountiful” on the Continent. “AVe do not regard the annuities as legally or morally due,” he said, “and w, e intend to defend our rights. The tariff war is bound to involve hardships, but eventually it will relieve the Free State from its dangerous dependence on British markets.”

SECESSION NOT THE ISSUE. LONDON, October 19. Replying to a question in the Dail Eireann, Mr de Valera said the implication in Afr Thomas’ statement, regarding an Irish Republic, Was incorrect. The question of secession could not arise until the people gav e a mandate. AIR COSGRaVE’S COUNSEL. LONDON, October 19. In the Dail Eireann, tiro Leader of the Opposition, Air Cosgrave said it was slander to suggest that the minority opposed settlement. There was more Irish blood among some of the Opposition than on the Government front bench. Owing to the Government’s policy, unemployment was growing, markets diminishing, and opportunities of getting Imperial preferences disappearing.