COSGRAVE’S OFFER

Hokitika Guardian, 16 January 1933, Page 5

COSGRAVE’S OFFER

RE THE ANNUITIES

BOMBSHELL EFFECT IN WEST. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegiaph—Copyright.) LONDON'. January 11. Mr Cosgrave’s offer to reduce the annuities (with no payment till 1934) if elected to office, had a bombshell effect, notably in western farming lareas, where the retention of an unfettered British market is a vitaj issue.

The director of Mr Cosgrave’s party’s campaign is already forecasting the party with h’s pighty-fiyo s eats as against Mr de. Valera’s sixty-eight seats.

More cautious tipsters suggest that Mr Cosgrave will gain a majority ol ten seats. It is obvious that the Farme-s’ Party will replace’ the Labour Party as holding the balance of power. There is an unknown factor. Tin’s is as to how far the poll will be /affected by the young irresponsible voters, swayed 'by Mr de Valera’s romanticism and hi.s claim to be saving Ireland’s honour against British aggression ; but there are unmistakable signs of strong, ,silent proTreaty vote on the part of those who are now apprehensive *as to the future, DENIAL GIVEN BY. MR THOMASCIVIL WAR ALLEGATION ~ LONDON, January 14. Mr J. H. Thomas, Dominions Secretary, speaking at Newport, referred to Mr de Valera’s allegation that at Ottawa he (Mr Thomas), bad said to an Irish delegate that there. would be civil war in 'lreland. Lie denied the allegation. He added ; “The best evidence I said no such thing L that T was ,n n’mfst . daily conversations with the Free State delegation, to discover a basis of settlement. Unfortunately I failed.” Mr Thomas referred .to the F re e State election speeches suggesting Britain wf>is not prepared for a serious effort at a settlement because vhe hoped to secure tb e return of another Government. H" added; * “We are always ready to negotiate a settlement with any Government prepared to observe honour able obligations.”

REPLY TO MR THOMAS. . (Received this day at 10 a.m.) LONDON, January 15. Mr de Valera replying to Mr Thomas said: .“Wo want peace ns much nfi England, but peace is only obtainable when the 'lrish - people are free to determine the terms of th.eU* relationship with Britain, iMr THomas will never g e t pence while he insists on a' division of nor ties on Ireland, .because thp aim of every true (Irishman is to end the partition. We have ceen no indication of Britain’s readings to discuss a ■n»nl settlement. I am interested to know the meaning, of Mr Tb o m?r,’ re.fereiße to “honourable obligations.” Tber p was never a body so determined to observe honourable obligations as the present Free Stat e Government.”