IRISH POLITICS

Hokitika Guardian, 30 January 1933, Page 6

IRISH POLITICS

DE VALERA'S IMPRESSIONS

PARTITION MUST BE REMOVED.

(United Press Association—By Electric

Telegraph—Copyright)

(Received Jan. 30tii. at 8.55 a.m.') LONDON, January 29. “I am quite satisfied,” said Mr de Valera- in an interview. “I asked for a clear-majority, and have got it. I could not expect more under proportional representation. I confidently predict that the vote for an independent, !a t nd reasonably self-sup-porting Ireland will grow, for Ireland lias: struggled for seven centuries to

realise her ideal of independence. Our victory is due to the persistence of national sentiment, hut that does not indicate) hostility to Britain. There is a vast difference between positive sentiment for freedom and a negative feeling of. hate for another people. The majority of Irishmen desire to live on the friendliest terms with Britain.” Asked whether lie would take the .initiative in the negotiations, Mr do Valera replied: ‘T cannot say.” He added: “We are .always ready to negotiate. Meantime the annuities policy will he unchanged, but I don’t think we can continue the suspense account.” Referring to the Senate Mr de Valera said that he would like to see a second hoarse of thirty-five representatives of mamifacurers, labour, (and economic experts. He expressed -'the opinion that the Dail could he reduced to 120 ito sav e expense. Mr de' Valera added that the stable Government had the confidence, of the people which the election had now secured, enabling further progress in their economic policy, in which the hope was to realise de-centralisation of industry, and the establishing of smaller industries complimentary to agriculture. Smaller, and moderately self-contained towns should be built, enabling a- higher standard of living. Referring to Lord C'raigavon, Mr de Valera said that it was very foolish of him to think that h© could prevent the development of .the National tendency. I don’t know the feelings of unionists and ex-unionistis in Ulster, but I do know the feelings of the Nationalists who are relatively larger in proportion in Ulster than were the unionists throughout Ireland. The removal of- the partition is a necessary preliminary to a true and lasting Anglo-Irish peace, but there would have to Lei a different temper 'before his Government could make, proposals to Ulster.

Lord Craigavon, commenting on Mr de Valera’s statement, declared: “What I said yesterday stands. Northern Ireland is part of the and British to the core.”

CRITICISM OF THE VOTING,

(Received 10.55 a.m.) LONDON, January 29

’ The “Sunday Times” says that de Valera’s . victory has been a landslide, mitigated by proportional representation.' The British ■ system of voting would probably have resulted in the Opposition holding only thirty out of the 153 seats. Mr Cosgrave lost thousands of votes owing t° faulty organisation.