NO ALTERNATIVE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 269, 8 July 1932, Page 5

NO ALTERNATIVE

SAVING THE TAXPAYERS. LONDON, Thursday. In the House of Commons, Mr. J. H. Thomas, in moving the second reading of the Irish Duties Bill said it admittedly took drastic and unlimited powers, but the Government had no alternative, for it refused to call on the taxpayers to bear a further burden. The Act would be discontinued immediately the just dues were received or other settlement reached. The Government proposed to collect the money with a minimum of inconvenience to Britain's trade. The powers of the bill included taxation of all Free State imports. "We have gone to the limit. We will not be a party to any tribunal to settle what is essentially a domestic matter from outside the Commonwealth of nations. In a despatch now en route to Mr. De- Valera, I have made. that clear. "In regard to the other payments mentioned in his latest despatch, we still do not know the grounds whereon the Free State's liability is disputed. If, however, the Free State will indicate the grounds whereon the agreements relating to those payments are challenged we, in order to show a desire for a friendly settle--ment, of all financial questions, will consider the possibility of agreeing to arbitration thereon by the same tribunal we have already proposed in regard to the land annuities." The Bill was read a second time and carried by 321 votes to 41.