BRITAIN AND IRELAND

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 April 1938, Page 8

BRITAIN AND IRELAND

DETAILS OF THE AGREEMENT FULL OTTAWA CONDITIONS CONCEDED. TRANSFER OF COAST DEFENCE STATIONS. By Telegraph.—Press Association, Copyright. (Recd This Day, 11.40 a.m.) LONDON, April 25. The Anglo-Eire Agreement on trade and other subjects restores full Ottawa conditions, to Eire. It transfers to Eire the coast defence stations occupied by the United Kingdom under the 1921 Treaty and authorises the payment of £10,000,000 to Britain, settling claims before the present agreement. The Irish payment of £250,000 in connection with damaged property under the 1925 agreement continues. The special British duties and the Irish Customs emergency duties are abolished. Irish goods can be imported customs free to Britain, apart from revenue duties. Provision is made for consultation in the event of difficulties. The trade agreement lasts for three years, after which it is subject to six months’ notice of termination by either party. The most important item affected is coal from Britain. Eire undertakes to admit it duty free, while simultaneously imposing a duty on foreign coal. Where British goods are not admitted duty free, Eire undertakes to observe the existing margins of preferences. Britain offers goods from Eire the same treatment as from other parts of the Commonwealth. Eire, however, recognises Britain's policy of promoting the orderly marketing of agricultural and fishery products which may be quantitatively regulated if consultations fail to lead to satisfactory - arrangements. Export bounties on Eire goods sent to England are withdrawn. The transfer of the coast defence stations is to be effected by December 31. Mr Chamberlain ’presented Mr de Valera with a pair of field glasses which Mr de Valera handed over when he surrendered to British troops in 1916. DOCUMENTS SIGNED. (British Official Wireless.) j (Recd This Day, 11.48 a.m.) RUGBY, April 25. A communique states: “A meeting between representatives of the Governments of the United Kingdom and Eire was held this afternoon at No. 10 Downing Street, when the documents regarding the. agreement reached as a result of the recent discussions were signed.” i* LUNCH AT NO. 10. DE VALERA & COLLEAGUES , ENTERTAINED. (Recd This Day, 10.40 a.m.) LONDON, April 25. Several hundred people cheered Mr de Valera and his colleagues on their arrival at Downing Street for litnch with- the Prime Minister, Mr Neville Chamberlain, and Mrs Chamberlain, before signing the Anglo-Eire Agreement. Other guests were Sir John Simon, Sir Samuel Hoare, Sir Thomas Inskip and Mr Malcolm Macdonald.