IRELANDS HOPE.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 December 1922, Page 5

IRELANDS HOPE.

THE FREE STATE PACT. MESSAGE from the king. PLEA TO END WARFARE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Dec. 13, 8.5 p.m. London. Dec. 1«2. The Free State Governor-General (Mr. T. Healy), addressing a joint Assembly of the Senate and Dail Eireann, read the King’s Message, stating:— “With the final enactment of the constitution as a self-governing Dominion, the Free State comes into being. It is my earnest hope that by the faithful observance by all sides ot the pact concluded prosperity in Ireland may be secured in the spirit of that settlement. I have chosen you to be the first representative of the Crown in the Free State. With all my heart I pray that the blessing of God may rest upon you and the Ministers of the Free State in the difficult task committed to your charge.” Continuing. Mr. Healy said: “A constitution has been devised under which the most patriotic yearning for recreation, national life, and identity of country in language, thought, literature and art, for progress along secure lines of social and economic development, for assurance in happiness and contentment offered the utmost free play. The Free State entered into the fullness of partnership in liberty with the nations co-operating in. co-equal membership of the great commonwealth of free peoples. “Unhappily, a small number had not bowed to the will of the majority, and had engaged in hostile operations. They had spread ruin broadcast by an attempt to impose their will on a. majority bv means of terror and destruction. They had failed in their attempt to upset the treaty, but had enhanced to an incalculable extent the problem of the unemployed. Our first care must be to end this disorder speedily.” Mr. Healy, acknowledging the King’s message, says: “The terms of the message will touch all hearts, while the thought which inspired it must everywhere evoke the admiration of men of goodwill. I humbly join in beseeching the Almighty that the reign of freedom now established in Ireland will bring with it early peace and prosperity, as well as lasting reconciliation between the British and Irish nations.” It was the Government’s duty to take steps to constitute a commission which would determine the boundaries between Ulster and the Free State. Legislation would be required for the extension of the franchise, the establishment of a judicial system, civil police, national defence, provision for compensation in land purchase, and other matters consequential on Ireland's fiew constitutional status.

FREE STATE’S CONSTITUTION.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS. The following is a summary of the main features of the Constitution of the Irish Free State, which has been ratified by the British Parliament and has received the Royal Asent. The Constitution is prefaced by a governing clause, which gives the Treaty with the British Government the force of law. FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS. Section I. deala with “Fundamental Rights” The Irish Free State is a co-equal member of the Community of Nations forming the British Commonwealth of Nations. All government and authority are derived from the people. Irish citizenship is defined. Any person being a citizen of another State may elect not to accept Irish citizenship. The national language is Irish. English will be equally recognised as an official language. No titles of honors may be conferred for services in relation to the Irish Free State except with the approval of the Executive Council of the State. Freedom of conscience, free profession of religion, and freedom of expression of opinion are declared. The rights of the State in and to natural resources shall not be alienated. Private exploitation to be under State (supervision. LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS. Section 11. deals with Legislative Provisions. A Legislature to be known as Oireachtas is created to consist of the King and two Houses, the Chamber of Deputies (Dail Eireann) and the Senate (Seanad Eireaim). Adult suffrage is provided. The Senate is to be on an elective basis, the electors to be over 30.

The Oath prescribed by the Treaty is to be taken by members of Oireachtas. It must be taken and subscribed by every member before taking his seat and before the Representative of the Crown.

Payment of members of Oireachtas is provided for. Election to be according to the principles of Proportional Representation. Constituencies to be revised every 10 years. Each university is to elect two representatives to the Senate. It is to be composed of citizens who have done honor to the nation by public service, or. who, because of special qualifications, represent important aspects of the nation’s life. A panel of qualified Senators to be formed.

Dail Eireann to have authority in money Bills exclusive of the Senate. A joint session of both Houses is provided in the case of disagreement for the purpose of debating Bills other than money Bills. Bills that have passed both’ Houses to be presented for the Royal Assent. Assent can be withheld or reserved, providing that the Representative of the Crown shall art in accordance with Canadian precedent. Oireachtas may create subordinate legislatures, subject to restriction upon their powers, or functional or vocational councils.

Oireachtas to have the exclusive right to raise and maintain the armed forces mentioned in the treaty. Provision is made for a referendum of Bills passed by both Houses on a resolution of the Senate assented to by three-fifths of its members, or by a petition signed by not less than onetwentieth of the voters on the register of voters. The decision of the penpie on such a refarenduxn to be final. This

does not apply to money or emergency Bills. Oireachtas may provide for the initiation by the people of proposals for laws or constitutional amendments. The Irish Free State shall not, save in the case of actual invasion, he committed to active participation in any war without the consent of Oireachtas. A referendum is necessary in the ease of constitutional amendments. THE EXECUTIVE. Section 111. (A) deals with the execuThe executive authority to be vested in the King, and to be exercisable according to Canadian precedent. There shall be an executive ccu.neU to advise the Government, responsible to Dail Eireann, and to consist of not mote then 12 members. Eight of these shall not (save on the motion of the president of the executive in regard to not more than three of them) he member, of Oireachtas. , ~ The president and vice-president sha .1 be members of Dail Eireann. The representative of the Crown shall be appointed in like manner as the Go.-ernor-General of Canada. THE .JUDICIARY. Section IV. deals with the M ic ’ Provision is made for the right of y person to petition His Majesty Special leave to appeal from the Supreme Court of the Free State to His Majesty-in-Council.