IRISH FREE STATE

Hokitika Guardian, 16 November 1933, Page 5

IRISH FREE STATE

BRITISH ATTITU DE

TO CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT. (Per British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, 'November 14. An important statement was made ■by the Secretary for the Dominions (Mr Thomas) in the House of 0 0m_ mon s , on’ ‘he’ position of the government of the United Kingdom, with ■regard to' the most recent development 'in the Irish Free State, and in particular to the three Bills' now before the 'lrish Free State ' Par-lament, for the amendment of the Irish Free State Constitution. The bills 4' 6 f *d propose (1) to abolish the power, of. the GovernorGeneral of the Free. State to veto legislation or to reserve it for the King’s consideration; (2),. ' £ o abolish the- right 'of (appeal ■ to * the Privy (Council-; '(3) to transfer to the Free State Council the authority to indicate to what purpose the •; State money shill be voted. Mr Thomas said : ' “We are advised that this legislation conflicts in important respectg with the treaty of 1921, and its passagetherefore involves further repudiation of obligations entered into by the Irish Free State under the treaty. We have already made perfectly-clear the view which we take of action of thi s kind. 'Quite apart from any (question °f legality, we look upon it as a repudiation of an honourable settlement. No

modification of the treaty can properly ' be made except by agreement -between the two countries, but that is. n-ot the onlv rispect of the matter. . The real significance of 'the bills is , that they clearly indicate an intention gradually to eliminate the Crown from the constitution of the Irish Free .'State.

Mr de Valera ha s told u s. as T said in. the Commons on June 17, 1932. that the ultimate aim i s recognition of United Ireland a fi a. republic, with some form of association;with the British Commonwealth in some circumstances. and .for some reasons, and the recognition of the King a$ head °f the association. :•

“Any guch proposals would be totally unacceptable to his Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom. Our view can be clearly stated.' The declaration' of the Imperial Conference o-f 1926, as to the relationship of Great Britain and the Dominions, under the Crown, .must be accepted as the 'basis of the constitutional position of the Irish'Free State within'ithe 'Empire. That ’declaration is clearly inconsistent with the state of things which the Irish Free 'State would -be a member of the British (Commonwealth of Nations for s ome purposes, hut not for all, and would cease to be united with Great Britain, and the Dominions by common allegiance to the Crown. Our conception of the membership of the Brtiish -C om '' monwealth is something entirely dif-j (ferJent. The Irish Free State ,as a , member of t.ha,t Commonwealth, j s a s | -Mr de Valera .himself must have now | learned, completely free to order her’ own affairs. Membership of the Commonwealth confers great advantages, which by her own action, the Irish Free State is tending -to lose; the privileges of -common citizenship, eco-j nomic advantages in trading,.ahd the opportunity' o,f powerful influence in international affairs in concert; with members l of -the Commonwealth in the ■cause x)f Would (peace, These privileges carry withe them responsrbJity, respect for the Crown, loyal * Cbsei'vance of engagements, spirit of friendship and co-operation with other members of the British Commonwealth. It is our desire to see the- Irish Free State taking a full share _as a member of the Commonwealth, not grudgingly, but of her own free will, accepting the responsibilities and enjoying the ■privileges. 'lf she ' is renouncing one, she cannot hope to' enjoy the other.” Asked if it were proposed to take any steps at consultation with the Dominions, to emphasise the policy he lhad indicated, Mr Thomas said the dispute affected Great Britain and the Irish Free State alone. They did not intend to drag the Dominions into it. 'Mr Thomas said that the -Irish Free State hrd made a total default to Ajoril, 1933, of £4,744,000. and from April to, October 31st, of £2,473,000. |

IDE VALERA’S REPLY TO THOMAS

IRISH REPUBLIC QUESTION

■LONDON, November 15.

Mr de Valera referred to a statement made by Mr J. H. Thomas in the House of Commons, declaring the British Government’s attitude to the proposed changes dn the Irish Free Slate constitution, eliminating the Crown. Mr de Valera ashed; “Would the British Government say that the Irish form of government is a matter exclusively for the Irish people to decide, and that their decision would not be regarded as a hostile action, or made'tile cause of any aggressive action against them ?”

The Irish people,- Mr de Valera stated, wodd understand that if they chose to have a republic, they would lose membership in the British Commonwealth of Nations. Let them have such statement from the British Government, ard then their whole plan would *b© altered. He had no doubt what woulcl .be the choice of the Irish people