OATH OF LOYALTY.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 October 1922, Page 5

OATH OF LOYALTY.

ACCEPTED BY the IRISH. AMNESTY TO OFFENDERS. UNCONDITIONAL OFFER. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Oct. 4, 7.45 p.m. London, Oct. 3. The Irish Provisional Parliament, by a large majority, adopted a motion accepting the article of constitution embodying the oath of loyalty. The rapid and smooth progress which has so far been made warrants the belief that the full constitution based on tihe treaty will be passed in time for submission to the British Parliament during the autumn session. When Dail Eireann discussed the constitutional oath Mr. Gavan Duffy moved an amendment deleting the provision that the oath must be taken by every member. He admitted that as he signed the treaty himself he was morally bound to take the oath, but he desired exemption for others. If the oath was deleted 90 per cent, of the opposition to the treaty would disappear. Mr. Higgots pointed out that republicans in South Africa and elsewhere in the Empire took an identical oath.

Mr. Duggan said any quibbling about the oath meant tearing up the treaty. Labor niembers opposed the amendment, which was defeated. An amendment by Mr. Johnson (Labor leader) requiring the King and his representatives to swear allegiance to the Free State and undertake in all matters affecting the Free State to act on the advice of the executive council was also defeated. Received Oct. 4, 5.5 p.m. London, Oct. 3. The Free State Government has offered an unconditional amnesty to all offenders surrendering arms before October 15.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ATTACK BY IRREGULARS. London, Oct. 3. Irregulars attacked the Free State garrison in Meath. Fierce fighting resulted in ten being killed. The Irregulars then retreated.