BLUE SHIRT BAN

Hokitika Guardian, 24 August 1933, Page 5

BLUE SHIRT BAN

IS NOT JUSTIFIED DECLARATION IN SENATE. ,* ■ # .. ’ ' •'t '"• (United Press Association-— By 1 .ectrio Telegraph—Copyright). DUBLIN, August. 23While the. Free State Cabinet wen* I . reaching tne decision. to ban the Blue Shirts, Sir John Keane,, in, the Senate, was moving that the . disarming and banning of the Blue .Shirts’, ; parades was unjustified. He . declared that tile Government was using .its powers against, constitutional loyal, citizens at the bidding of a lieavily-armed Bp-, pyublican Army. /, , ; : He added that public anxiety was increased by the withdrawal /. of arms, which were needed for protection, but declared that men deprived ,of weapwould take steps to protect themselves, . if not openly then otherwise. They would.'not stand like sheep before slaughter, or condemned: mon: awaiting - .execution..

Sir Joh.n. Keane added that a largo section of Irish people ’ believed that when the opportunity came-the Irish Republican Army /would usurp the functions of;Government. : : : >

Senator Comyn, declared that the Re publican Army * he ; suppressed until-: itrfiajl rftchieved; Titrr Ap Ireland Republic*! •-> •-4 i

"NOT BOUND TO RECOGNISE IT."

STRENGTH THROUGH COERCION.

DUBLIN, August 23,

"The Blue Shirts are neither Fascist, nor Imperialist, \ nor .Communist. Not even the Public Safety• Act enables the Government, to. forbid, the wearing of the blue Jshirts, nor.: to proclaim the National Guard unlawful,” declares General. O’Duffy, v "If /ve are banned we Therefore are unlawfully banned. We are mot. bound to recogmse it.” He added that the National-Guard would face any/kind of persecution,.saying: "A . period :/ of coercion .will i only strengthen,.us.”- , . .■;•/' .The Dreg/-State Minister; of, Justice, Mr Ruttlpdge,,. announced in- Ae Senate that tlje Government were possessed of .sufficient/..information *; that the. National* ;G,uard: were*-.heavily armed, and they,,,were,.importing--further arms into, fhe./'h’ree He said: ,"We have’ made it perfectly clear that people will, not be to parade with arms and uniforms. General O’Duffy: ha g : accepted . that challenge, If we get people.with arms in public we will deal with them also.” I Sir John: Keane, after Mr Ruttledge’s speech, withdrew his motion, sayitt? then that he hoped that the - Government Would be able to eimufe peace. He did not envy them their job.