BITTER ATTACK

Hokitika Guardian, 17 November 1932, Page 5

BITTER ATTACK

BY MR COSGRAVE

DE VALERA’S POLICY CRITICISED

(United Press Association —By SElectric Telegraph—Copyright.)

LONDON, November 15

“I introduce this motion in a solemn hour of the nation’s misfortune*” said Mr Cosgrave in the Dail* moving a censure on the Government. “If the Free State is to be : saved appalling Suffering, perhaps irreparable loss, the Government must go.- 1 " Their neglect of international decency, obstinate insistence on unilatered interference with the Treaty, and blundering incompetence has involved the country in an economic war of attrition, that precluded an honourable settlement. The tale is sorrowful and sordid. It is the duty of every member to insist that the tragedy should be ended and the country spared irreparable damage and disaster, otherwise poverty and acute distress is the only prospect for people and theiifhhildren, and perhaps their children’s children.”

Mr Norton announced that the— Labour members would support the Government.

Mr Cosgrave, continuing, said Mr de Vallera was pursuing 'a Will of the wisp. It was criminal to jettison' any advantages to be gained from the Ot-_ tawa Conference. Meanwhile, he said, discontent and unrest Were developing at an alarming rate; political passions were aroused to a .height unknown even in Ireland; implacable hatreds had become a commonplace; fundamental principles of Christianity were in danger of being forgottori; religion itself was menaced by the stealthy progress of class hatred iand social land moral disintegration.

Mr M ;Demott, supporting the motion, denounced Mr de Valera’s programme; a® “bluster and jingoism.” Mr Herring, the Minister of Education, denied that the country Was in the dreadful condition that Mr Oosgrave had represented. The national* 1 credit, he pointed out, was as high as before, and unemployment not undulyi increased. '

Mr Sullivan (ex-Minister ofEduefition) declared the Government had huge relief schemes that were eating the. country’s capital. ../I?' 1 Mr dc Valera, replying to the debate on the motion, said: Britain’s wholeaim was to .squeeze the• Irish people; to drive them from the Government which . they had deliberately chosen ; f and to restore the Government wherewith Britain had previously agreed • He contended that the - hardships due to the tariffs were incomparable With the- hardships that ;to the paying of the annuities." He denied wishing to revive hatred, l Dt " :; Mr Oosgvave’ft motion was l 'defeated by 75 to 70,

MR COSGRAVE MOVES.

DE VALERA’S STATEMENT,

(Received this day at 10.15 a.m.)

DUBLIN, November 16,

Mr Cosgrave moved in the Daily that the Government relieve fanners of the paying of annuities until the British tariff is withdrawn, '; r ' f

Cheers greeted Mr de Valera hr tmnouncement of early legislation-,--per-petually remitting a large proportion, of farmers’ payments to'the State "and that instalments due to June 30, would he' funded for a certain period at 41 per cent.