UNITY IN IRELAND

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 October 1938, Page 5

UNITY IN IRELAND

MR DE VALERA OUTLINES PROPOSALS DESIRE FOR ALL-IRELAND PARLIAMENT. LORD CRAIGAVON STILL SAYS “NO SURRENDER." By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, October 18. Mr de Valera, on the eve of a campaign to terminate the partition of Ireland, outlined new proposals to unite Eire and Ulstei’, based on the establishment of an all-Ireland Parliament, representing the six northern and 26 southern counties, the transfer of the British powers over Ulster to such a Parliament, which would be established' on a proportional representational vote and the retention of local government powers now held by the northern Parliament. The Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, Lord Craigavon. meanwhile reiterates “no surrender.” Mr de Valera will inform the Fianna Fail convention in November that he is opening negotiations with Britain in reference to the partition. It is pointed out that the British military occupation of the six northern counties in the event of war would be resented, as it would make civil war almost inevitable. Ireland could not then co-operate with Britain in war time, but a united Ireland could if her Government decided it was in her best interest.

Lord Craigavon says the northern Nationalists could never complain of their treatment. Ulster’s loyalty to the Crown was never stronger. As this was so, Mr de Valera could cease using her as a weapon to threaten the British Government.

The deputy-Premier, Mr Andrews prophesies that Mr de Valera’s plan is foredoomed to failure, because the Ulster loyalists would never abandon their citizenship within the United Kingdom.