IRISH POLITICS

Hokitika Guardian, 30 September 1933, Page 5

IRISH POLITICS

A CENSURE motion

DE VALERAS REPLY. (United Press -Association- —By Electric Telepjr apb—Co pyripht.) DUBLIN, September 23. The D:..il Eireann -was crowded for the'debate on the Opposition motion of consure, there being a tense atmosphere. A dozen of the Deputies wore the blue - shirts and black ties. Mr MacDerniott (of the date Farmers’ Group) condemned the Government’s measures as oppressive i'n. enforcing the Public Safety Act. He said that powers of life and death should not be handed to a few military officers unless the grounds for so doing Kvere those of overwhelming necessity. No crimes could he proved against the National Guard. He said that the Labour Party’s action in opposing the Opposition’s mot-on was a contemptible and degrading action.

The Labour Leader, Mr Norton, reported that it was impossible to overlook the military character of the Nationnl Guard, whose, salute, he said, had been borrowed from Herr Hitler. •He said General O’Duffy’s speeches were those of a would-be dictator. Mr Ruttledge said that the Government had not attempted to interfere in any political movements, but the Government would not tolerate any semi-military movements. The Government were not going to all° w civil war to develop. 'The blue shjrt, ihe said, was a. military emblem.

Gdneral O’Higgms interposed “The Government sees red when 'it sees ihlue!”

The debate flared up when Mr de Valera • interjected that the Government had definite . information that General Mulcahy has recently had conversations, at Glasgow, with the British 'Minister of War.

■General 'Mulcahy indignantly demanded a tribunal to investigate this fcharge.. '

Mr de Valera then rose, hut he was greeted with afci Opposition uproar, there being shouts of ‘‘Don’t wriggle. Don’t be a coward!”

Mr de Valera’s voice was drowned in the pandemonium. Finally Mr de Valera declared that he welcomed General Mulc.ahy’s statement as to an inquiry, as the last thi-'c; that he (Mr de Valera) wanted to hear wa. s that the Government’s information was correct. Mr de Valera said that he gladly agreed to give General'Mnlcahy the tribunal.

iMr de Valera, continuing, emphasised that the enforcement of the Public 'Safety Act VKs inevitable in view of the condition of the country. The Government had tried the policy of patience.. Dealing with the Irish Republican Mr de , Valera said that this was a movement that had been built up in the past, but it was a different thing to be dealing with a recent movement like the Army C°nimdes Association.

■Mr de Valera denied Mr Hogan s charge that the Public , Safety Act had been enforced at the behest of

General 'Mukahy later told the ■press that (he has had mo conversation. with Loi’d Hailshi-m- (Britisn War Minister), and said there was not a tittle of truth in Mr de Valera’s charge. A DENIAL. LONDON, September 28. Lord 'Hailsham states that he ha-? never seen General Mukahy, and tlrt Mr de Valera’s statement was totally unfounded.