MR SEAN O'KELLY DOESN'T KNOW WHERE HE STANDS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 277, 18 July 1932, Page 3

MR SEAN O'KELLY DOESN'T KNOW WHERE HE STANDS

(Press. Assn.-

— By Telegraph — Copyright).

Rec. July 17, 5.5 p.m. QUEBEC, Saturday. Forty-six delegates from the Free State, Nortbsrn Ireland and Great Britain for the Imperial Economic Conference at Ottawa, reached here to-day. "Ireland intends to be free, and will be free," declared Mr. Sean O'Kelly, who is heading the Free State Delegation, who arrived aboard the Laurentic. He emphasises that the delegation in going to Ottawa was concerned with economic questions. Ireland looks for a larger share of the inter-Empdre trade and is prepared to approaeh the conference tounutual advantage. Other members of the party were more inclined to express opinion freely on differences between the Free State and the United Kingdom. While some interest was expressed in the reaction on Canadian- public opinion. "Even if the Oath is removed th'e Free State will still be a member of the British Commonwealth,"' Mr. O'Kelly said. "The symbol of unity is the King," he added. "The oath had nothing tto do with Ireland's relation to other parts of the Empire." The delegation approaches th'e conference with uncertainty in view of

tne coiiapse between Mr de Valera and Mr Ramsay MacDonald. Mr. O'Kelly said instructions would be received in Ottawa. However, in any case, he did not feel free to enter into arrangements with other Dominions respeeting trade advantages. The main British delegation is on the Empress of Britain, which is arriving on Monday.