IRISH REPUBLIC

Hokitika Guardian, 4 March 1933, Page 6

IRISH REPUBLIC

DE VALERA’S FORMATION PLAN. EFFECT. ON IRISHMEN ABROAD. LONDON, February 20. The effect upon, Irishmen in other parts of tile Brutish Empire of Mr de Valera’s plan to establish an independent republic was discussed in a letter written to the Irish Independent by an Irishman resident in England.

"i here are over three million people of Irish descent in Great Britain,” he wrote. ‘‘ln the day of the Home Rule struggle thei-e imillj'ons !very ,often against their own interests in this country, .supported the Home Rule movements. Their votes on occasions counted for say, 80 or 100 votes in the House of Commons, as the represented the balance of parties in many constituencies, especially in the Nor th of England. Their report of devotion to Ireland is magnificent. They and the Irish people abroad may assuredly be allowed something to say in the present eviisis.”

He observed that 90 per cent of the Irish people in England are opposed to the setting-up of a seperate Republican Government in Ireland, not only because they accepted the'settlement of 1921, but, also because they have experienced England’s goodwill and fair dealing. ‘‘No Irishman lost his post or position, on racial grounds. The Irish working classes have not been treated, prejudicially in this country by the setting up of a Free State in Ireland, independent of England. Irish workmen, Irish civil servants in England, Irish merchants, etc., have . suffered in the slump, but no distinction has even been made between them and the English of the same classes.

‘‘lt has been right? through, a case of share and share alike. If, as a result of the present struggle, a Republic arises l , Ireland will have definitely lost three millions of her people, in Great Britain. In the course of a generation 0 r two these people,will have become English. Do. the present Free State Republicans value ties that bind, them to their own countrymen in Great Britain as nothing? The same is true of the Irish in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and India. Mr de Valera and bis statesmen do not appear to have even considered these matters.”