THIRD READING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 280, 26 November 1931, Page 7

THIRD READING.

EMPIRE STATUTE

Anxiety in Commons Over Result in Ireland.

REASSURANCE BY MINISTERS

(United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright)

LONDON, November 25. Various amendments to the Statute of Westminster were moved in the House of Commons yesterday. The first -was introduced by Sir Gerald Hurst (Con., Manchester). Its object was to prevent the Government of any Dominion passing laws with extraterritorial operation conflicting with the laws of Britain or other Dominions or with international law. This amendment was rejected without division. Colonel J. Gretton (Con., Burton) moved a new clause to provide that nothing in the bill should authorise the Irish Free State Legislature to repeal, amend or alter the Irish treaty. He said that without this provision the Trish separatists could legally take any steps. they desired. Mr. Thomas said nothing would be more fatal to Imperial unity than differentiation between the Dominions. The Irish Free State had not a long record, but there was no more stable Government in the Empire. The President of the Dail, Mr. W. T. Cosgrave, after the debate last week, had written to the Prime Minister, Mr. Mac Donald, stating that the maintenance of the present happy relations between Britain and the Irish Free State was absolutely dependent upon the acceptance of each other's good faith. The Minister said the amendment would safeguard nothing. If the Irish Free State elected a Government which was determined to break the treaty the amendment would do nothing to stop it. The passage of the amendment would only blazon to the world that the British Government could not trust the Irish people. The Government could not accept the amendment. Sir Austen Chamberlain said that as a signatory to the Irish treaty, he was satisfied with Mr, Cosgrave's public announcement that the treaty was an agreement between two nations standing, irrespective of statutory authority, upon mutual faith, and could only be altered by common consent in a spirit of confidence and faith. He would support the Government. Mr. Winston Churchill said he felt that his opposition to the bill had in no way abated. He had the greatest respect and admiration for Mr. Cosgrave and for hie faithful adherence to the treaty, but the point raised could not be settled by individuals' assurances. The Irish Free State Government was in a precarious position. It had been obliged to adopt measures more severe than any British coercion. The treaty might become a matter of grave crisis, said Mr. Churchill, and they would be responsible if they in any way weakened Britain's moral interests in it. Mr. Baldwin said the amendment was futile for the achievement of the purpose the movers desired, and insistence upon it would be disastrous to tlie whole Empire. The crux of the question was Imperial relationships. The Dominions had all been consulted regarding the statute. Australia and Canada had sought special conditions, but South Africa and the Irish Free State had asked for no special provisions because they believed ail the necessary protection rested in their Constitutions, and that restrictive clauses would be a reflection on their good faith. The Leader of the Socialist Opposition, Mr. George Lansbury, supported the Government. He said his party believed Ireland should be trusted and be dealt with exactly the same as the other Dominions. The amendment was defeated by 350 votes to 50, and the bill was read a third time.