MORE IRISH CLAIMS

Hokitika Guardian, 31 October 1932, Page 5

MORE IRISH CLAIMS

BRITISH REPLIES DEBATABLE MATTERS ARISE. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, October 23. • A White Paper dealing.with the recent Anglo-Irish Conference reveals that >Xr de Valera claimed that the Piee State is entitled po share in the United Kingdom road fund. The British Government agreed with this view but a dispute has arisen in regard to apportionment of the fund. The Free Oiuto claimed that the apportionment of the road fund was to be deemed unfair, and that it should be retrospectively revised. The British Treasury regarded this contention as inadmissible. Both sides are agreeable to submit the question to the arbitration of S>r Henry Strakosch. The Free .State also claimed > compensation in respect of the loss it sustained consequent on Britain abandoning the gold standard . The British reply to ' this was that Britain’s abandonment of the gold standard involved no loss to the Irish Free State, but rather that it involved a profit. In any case 'Britain contended, the matter was a domestic one, and no claim by the Free State could’ be admitted. The Free 'State further claimed to be recouped for the over-taxation of Ireland since the Act of Union. It also claimed a share of the assets of the former United Kingdom.

It is understood that the amount in the Free 'State over-taxation claim i'3 to involve £400,000,000.

The British reply to the claim was that it was impossible to establish any clear proof that Ireland was over taxed since the date of the Union in 1801 up to the present time. The Free State sought to avoid tV payment of pensions to the former Royal Irish Constabulary and also to the civil servahia and judges, who were employed in Ireland before the creation of the Free State. The Free State argued that the Royal Irish Constabulary were an occupying force, and • were hostile to the national aspirations of the Dish people.

To this, the British reply was that the question of the Royal Irish Constabulary -was settled by financial agreements in 1923 a;nd 1926. It was stated that Free State took over 'functions of police, along with other Governmental responsibilities, ‘ and that, consequently the eost of these pensions was 'a normal part thereof, which any Government would expect to 'Jpear. As regards the civil and judicial pensions, Britain’s view was that the general principle was that various departments were handed assets and liabilities attached. The Irish Tree State, claimed a share of the assets of the Post Office Savings Bank, which are being held against dormant, accounts located in the Free State.

To this the British reply was that It was not possible to agree to a transfer of any part of these balances without the consent of their depositors, or of their legal representatives.

As regard's the question of the annuities, the White Paper has disclosed nothing new, except that there is the insistence by the Irish Free State that the 1923 financial agreement was not submitted to th© ratification of either* Parliament.

The British reply to this was that according to recognised practice among nations, the agreements of I.PW and 1926 were binding, unless expressly stated to be subject to ratification and that no such statement Was made in agreements signed by Ministers on each side.

ROYAL VISIT TO ULSTER. DUBLIN, October 29. , The Sinn 'Feinn organisation announces that it is arranging for protest meetings, to be addressed by prominent Republicans, from Dublin, Belfast and /elsewhere, against the J?rince of Wales’ visit to Belfast.

ORANGEMEN GUARD OF HONOUR. (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, October 30. The “Guardian” nays a stir has been, created in Belfast by the publication iu the Nationalist newspaper of a circular issued to two hundred Orange Lodges in the city, emphasising thedesire to maintain the traditions of the Imperial province and 1 , give the Prince of Wales a light royal welcome. Accordingly the Grand Lodge has offered assistance to Belfast Orangemen for lining and safegunding the four/ mile routs from the City Hall toParliament Buildings. At least ten thousand brethren are required. They will rank as volunteer constables and wear a distinguished badge.

free state. BILLS SIGNED. LONBON, October 30. M r McNeil porf-wined 1 lbs last act as Governor General of the Irish Fi ee gt n ‘© l,y signing three bills -assented to by tli© Senate. He vacates the Vfico-Reg.nl lodge on Tuesday. A new appointment is expected in a fortnight.