IRELAND’S FUTURE

Hokitika Guardian, 11 December 1933, Page 5

IRELAND’S FUTURE

DOOR NOT CLOSED BAN PLATTED ON BLUE SHIRTS. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, December 8. It is understood that any suggestion of calling the Dominions into consultation on the question of the Irish ■Free Sale’s future relation s with the remainder of the Empire for the present may be disregarded. The British Government is likely to adopt this course only as a last resort, while most of the Dominions will probably be reluctant to embroil themselves with Ireland until it is absolutely necessary to deal with her future if it is to be outside the Empire. Mr J. H. Thomas said that longrange speaking would nofc effect a settlement of this unfortunate dispute. Mr 'McEntee, speaking as a responsible Free State Minister; had recently said that the Irish people wanted friendly co-operation. “We, too, want friendly co-operation,’’ said ■ Mr Thomas. “If I were tempted to make a warning it would be such that the -Irish Free State people would - realise how this economic strife is gradually accustoming the people of this country to present conditions, and there is a very .real danger of permanent markets be-, jng lost. People become accustomed to changed circumstances and adaPt themselves accordingly.

“I iam not unmindful that that can he as truly said about the Irish Free ‘State wih regard to our trade, but surely these facts of themselves show the danger, of prolonging this dispute. Trade, commerce, trade unionism and, yes, national honour all are involved in th. e principle of the sanctity of agreements. That is simple, and I ask M r de Valera, to believe me when I say that the British Government have not, and will not, close the door to an honourable and lasting peace which recognises this fundamental principle.” The United Ireland Party officially states: “The banning of- the Blue Shirts is a monstrous illegality and evidence of political persecution. It is -almost incredible that the Government is so blinded by political hatred as to ban a body whose every activity is honest, while it has allowed every variety of Communist activity throughout the country.”

FREE STATE TRADE POLICY. (Received this day at 10.25 a.m.) • LONDON, December 10. The' newspaper “The People” says that if civil war breaks out in the Free State, in consequence of Mr de Valera’s banning of the Blue Shirts, no British troops will he sent to Ireland. The Free State army and Civil Guards will he left to cope with the situation. General CFDuffy told a Donegal audience that the Free State was attempting to secure.' alternative . markets to Britain,. which bought eighteen-fold more Irish goods than all the other countries oombined. In pursuance of this policy the Free State had purchased £BB,OOO worth of products from Czecho-Slovapia. which took only £9l worth in return. The Government of the Free State was not such as would induce northerners to come in.