"DISTINCT NATION"

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 196, 12 April 1932, Page 5

"DISTINCT NATION"

IPress Assn.-

DE VALERA'S REPLY TO GENERAL HERTZOG'S CABLE INSISTS OATH IS UNJUST

-By Telfeeraph — Copyiig-ht).

CAPE TOWN, Sunday. ; Mr. de Valera has replied to GenI eral Hertzog's cable in connectiop with ; the exchange of views between the | Irish and British Governments concerning the construction of the Treaty of 1921. He expresses appreciation of the , iiotive of General Hertzog's telegram and adds. — "However, I am obliged to explain that the issue between us and Great , Britain is not a mere question of divergent views regarding'-the 'iriterpreiation of agreem'ents. We refuse to acknowledge Britain's, or any other ;ountry's right to insist oii the imposition of a conscience test on memhers of our Parliament. Such an imposition 3 opposed to the fimdamental rights of Ireland as a distinct nation from JBritain. The imposition was unjust vrom the beginning "and was forced on an unwilling people unde'r threat of jon immediate and terrible war. The i.neople have now declared their will aost emphatically that the conscience test must be removed, and it is my inty as head of the State to secure is instant removal. We have the Mlest right to amend our constitution according to the desire of the :eople." „ Other Injustices Mr. de Valera adds that there are ther elenieiits " of graVe in ju'stice' ' to Jeland in the present relationship etween Britain and Ireland. General Hertzog has replied stating ht his telegram was "prompted sole7 by a sincere wish to promote tbe bnces of a satisfactory solution of ie dispute, "a matter of interest to 3 all," by contributing towards the leation of an atmosphere of mutual ■oodwill and understanding between k parties, and was not in any way iended to be an expression of opin- ® on the merits of the case or the ropriety or otherwise of the raising f the issue."