NULLIFIED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 135, 9 June 1932, Page 7

NULLIFIED.

OATH ABOLITION. DE VALERA DEFEATED Senate Holds Ti-eaty Superior To Constitution. 18 MONTHS DELAY ASSURED. (United I'.A.— Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Kcceived 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, June 8. The Senate, by 30 votes to 22, defeated Section '2 of the Oath Bill, which repeals Section 2 of the Constitution Act, whereby the treaty is made superior to the Constitution and any legislation repugnant to the treaty rendered null and void. The Senate also rejected by 31 votes to 20 Section 3, which amends Article 60 of the Constitution by deleting reference to the treaty. Senator Milrov's amendment, proposing that the bill should not come into force until the British and Irish Governments had reached agreement, was carried by 33 votes to 22. The bill passed the committee stage.

The Senate amendments amount to a technical nullification of the bill and involve a probable deadlock which will hold up tiic bill for IS months. Mr. de Valera informed the Senate that the Free State Government had not changed its attitude towards the oath, and he saw no reason why the Senate should not continue discussion of the Abolition Bill. He added that he could not accept an amendment suggesting that the bill should not come into force until the British and Irish Governments had reached agreement.

The Constitution of the Irish Free State provides that amendments by the Senate to bills, other than money bills, must be considered by the Dnil. An elaborate machinery is provided to prevent the exercise of the veto by the Senate, or a protracted deadlock between the Senate and Chamber of Deputies, including a referendum of the people.

NOTHING TANGIBLE. Thomas-de Valera Talk Raises Speculation. BIG GULF TO BE BRIDGED. (Received 10 a.m.) LONDON, June 8. Returning from the conference at Dublin with Mr. de Valera, the Dominions Secretary, Mr. J. H. Thomas, wirelessed Mr. de Valera from the steamer thanking the Irish people for the great hospitality shown them. On arrival at Euston Mr. Thomas preserved the strictest secrecy and declined to refer to the negotiations, which were discussed by Cabinet later in the morning. The "Sydney Sun" learns that nothing more tangible than contact with the friendliest relations has thus far resulted from the Thomas-de Valera conversations. There is no foundation either for the reported deadlock or high hopes. The delegates put their case frankly and at length, but the conversations were only preliminary. Neither side attempted to commit itself. A big gulf clearly remains to be bridged and a compromise will be very difficult.

The "Central News" agency says that Mr. de Valera's reported suggestion of the incorporation of Ulster into the Free State finds 110 favour in North Ireland. The Government of Ulster and the majority of the people are absolutely opposed to the suggestion. At to-day's Cabinet meeting, Mr. J. H. Thomas and Viscount Hailsham reported that their discussions with President de Valera and the Irish Free State Ministers yesterday were of a preliminary character and will be continued on. Friday, when Mr. de Valera will visit London for the purpose. It is understood that the Prime Minister, Mr.- Ramsay Mac Donald, will participate in Friday's discussions.