CAUSE OF ANXIETY

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 199, 15 April 1932, Page 5

CAUSE OF ANXIETY

(British Offlcial Wireless)

PHRASEOLOGY USED IN REPLY TO MR. DE VAL^RA MEANING EXPLAINED

RUGBY, Wednesday. Viscount Craigavon, and Mr. A. B. Babington, had a meeting in the House of Common,s with Mr. J. H. Thomas and Siy Herbert Sampel who, as Home Secretary, is technically responsible in the House of Commons for Northern ilreland administration. It is understood the Ulster Ministers are desirous of discussing certain aspects of the jpresent controversy raised by the attitude of the Irish Free State to the oath of allegiance, particularly one passage of Mr. Thomas'- reply to Mr. de Valera's despatch in regard to which some anxiety was voiced in the Northern Ireland Parliament. The passage stated: "It is true the 1921 seftlempnt did not result in the establishment of a united Ireland, but the treaty itself made the necessary provision for union at that time of the two parts of Ireland if both then had been ready to accept them. . . . "As to the future, His Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom feel it sufficient to state that in their opinion there will he no conceivable hope for the establishment of a United Ireland except on the basis that its allegiance to the 'Crown and mejnbership of the British Commonwealth of Nations continue upimpaired." These words, it was explained, were used only gs a reply to Mr. de Valera's statement of the Agreement of 1921, namely, "Means the consummation of the outrage of .partition" in Ireland, and they do not indicate any change, aetual or contemplated, in the British policy regarding Ulster and Irish unity. It is expected Lord Craigavon will on his retprn to Belfast malce a reassuring statement to this effect in Parliament.