DEBATE IN THE DAIL

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 219, 15 September 1924, Page 8

DEBATE IN THE DAIL

BORDER BUI THROUGH. ; PRESIDENTS PLEA FOE PEACE. • (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, August 13. ) In spite of all alarms, the first read, ing of the Border Bill went through the Dail with a comfortable majority; of 54 votes in a House of 64 —it is only after protracted debate. Contrary to expectations, the newly-formed National party, led by Mr. McGrath, the late 'Minister of Industry and Commerce, supported the bill, but the Labour party voted solidly against it. President Cosgrave, in introducing it, appeared anxious and grave. Hβ said that it was the intention of the Government that the remaining stages should not be taken until the reassembly of the Dail, and, as soon as hia motion had been dealt with, he propose! to ask that the House be adjourned until October 21, with the proviso that certain happenings might make reas» sembly earlier necesary or desirable. In a vehement declaration, the Presw dent continued: "When our story comee to be written after the atmosphere of the present has passed away, I believe it will be recorded that, as a people, we have shown the virtue of patience in an eminent degree. Truth and justice have- been postponed, facts have been distorted; still, we have been patient, as befits a Christian people. ,, Mr. Cosgrave, continuing, said that an agreement had been signed by himself and Mr. Mac Donald undertaking; in the strongest possible manner to see that the bill before the House of Commona would be passed, and he had a. letter from Mr. Mac Donald repeating that assurance. Should the bill not pass the British Parliament, a situation would arise which both Government! would have to face. "While we do not anticipate that, we ere not unprepared -to make our recommendations in due course, and show that we are a reasonable people, and that we desire to live an peece with our neighbours," lie added. Deputy Johnson, Leader of the Labour party, asked that the Dail should not agree to the first reading of the bill. He suggested that the time had arrived when they should take their own course. He did not mean to euggeet any extraordinary or violent procedure, but the whole situation created byithe signing of the treaty had been altered completely. Mr. Kevin O'Higgins, Minister of Justice, replying, said that it was quite clear that Mr. Johnson advocated an amendment to the Constitution -which was not consistent with the Treaty. "A situation exists which calls for vigilance on the part of the Irish Goternment on behalf of the Irish people," said Mr. O'Higgins, "but no situation exists which would justify a change in the Constitution." Mr. Scan Milroya (Nationalist) objected to the measures taken by the Executive to get the Treaty enforced, and urged that, with the bill fcefore the British Houfe of Commons, they had to consider the possibility of a general election in which Ireland might again become the shuttlecock of British politicians. 1 In the debate Mr. Joseph MoGrath. (who resigned his position as Minister of Commerce during the Irish Army troubles and formed the • National party) said they had no guarantee that the "bill would go through the "House of Commons wr.thin the next two years. The House of Lords might block it, and they might find themselves faced with two general elections in England before the bill became law, yet the Dail would be committed to the bill going through all its stages. If President Cosgrave gave him the assurance that the bill would not be proceeded with until the corresponding bill had passed through all its stages in the British Parliament he would give him his support. President Cosgrave replied that it was not his intention to proceed with the bill until it had passed through the British Parliament. President Cosgrave replied to the debate, emphasising that it was not a political question en England, but a matter of truth and of right between one country and the other. "The fact is," concluded President Cosgrave, "that Britain has kept her faith with us up to now. They have not yet broken it, and'if they do the dishonour will be theirs, and not ours."