The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 1933. IRISH AFFAIRS.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 January 1933, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 1933. IRISH AFFAIRS.

The figures of the .polling of the Irish Free State las. week, leave no doubt a.s to the result. It wavs a well defined victory for the President, Mr de Valera, who will now he- free to shape the national policy of the country. Whether that will bo best for the nation remains to be seen. The Republican element in Ireland, iso long desirous of “cutting the painter’’ with Groat Britain, now has the opportunity to make a, considerable advance in that direction. Mr de Valera has . had whole-hearted support from the Republican element, and Ids own sentiment’s in regard to separation havenot been misunderstood. The Republican party will now bf» bis master more than ever, and it is evident ‘Southern Ireland *ha-s reached the parting of the ways, and for good or ill will enter on a new era. Not so with Northern Ireland, for Ulster is standing loyal to the- Empire. There will thus be two factious in Ireland directly opposed to each other, and as both aro of a militant disposition, the rivalry cannot be good for the country as a whole. Britain has both legal and moral claims on the Irish Free State, and it remains to he seen what will he the- .political attitude in that quarter. Whatever may be the view,? held, it is clear Mr d® Valera has a mandate to go forward with his policy either of -repudiation or -separation, or of both. The policy denies the sanctity of international agreements, and shows how easy it is to I treat a solemn pact as a scrap of paper. Britain has been tolerant of I Ireland, and has given way on many points. On the major point of home rule the Free State has- used the privilege in a manner never intended. Any attempt to revise he political situation with Southern Ireland, ban only he taken with a definite safeguard that the compact will bo honoured. Til© first or any move will have to come from the new Government more firmly established than ever. It will then be for the British Government to deal with the new situation. The latter has acted always with every fairness in maintaining, or endeavouring to maintain, national interests, and has acted to Ireland as to other •.pants of the Empire. The juxtaposition of Ireland to Great Britain, places the former practically under the wing of the latter, no matter wlmit may come to pass. If Ireland elects to sever her connection with the’ Empire, there her freedom of action will end, for no other country may ■seek to sponsor Ireland. Britain could not afford to have a point so near at hand, at the will of another nation, and Ireland as a Republic- will thus, stand alone. However the electors have made their -choice with a possible idea of the consequences. The trade of the country must remain definitely affected while hostile- to the heist customer at hand. Tt is trade and not politics which s.oell prosperity, hutafter a. period of the former, Ireland seems to think its prosperity can he created by polities and political warfare.