TWO COURSES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 136, 10 June 1932, Page 7

TWO COURSES.

IRISH OATH BILL.

DE VALERA'S POSITION.

General Election Or Delay For 18 Months. FORMER NOT EXPECTED. (British Official Wireless.) (Received ,11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, June 9.

As the result of the drastic changes in the bill for the removal of the oath, caused by the amendments passed by the Senate, the whole political situation in the Free State lias undergone a considerable change. At the outset Mr. de Valera was asked whether in view of the discussions now proceeding with the British Government on the ciiftieultiets which had arisen regarding negotiations at the Ottawa Conference, further consideration cf the bill would be deferred. He replied that the Government's attitude to the Oath Bill remained unchanged, and that an amendment to the effect that the operation of the bill be postponed until after agreement was reached with Britain could not possibly ha accepted. The debate accordingly proceeded. If the Dail rejects the amended bill, IS monthe must elapse before the bill can be reintroduced and passed despite Ihe opposition of the Senate. Alternatively Mr. de Valera might decide to declare an immediate general election. Newspapers think that the latter course is unlikely. Mr. do Valera is to (ravel to London to-night to resume discussions with the British Ministers on the difficulty between the two countries in relation to the negotiations in connection with the Ottawa Imperial Economic Conference. Mr. J. H. Thomas and a representative of the Prime Minister will be among those meeting him when he arrives at an early hour to-morrow. During the discussions he will be the pueet of the Prime Minister at a luncheon at No. 10, Downing Street. It is expected that he will return to Dublin in the evening. Urging Mr. de Valera not to waste time by hair-splitting and his facesaving proclivities, Mr. Cosgrave's weekly paper, "United Irishman," says that nothing would do more to save his face and redeem his past than a businesslike discussion with Britain speedily resulting in an economic agreement benefiting Irish farmers and industrialists. Mr. de Valera will find, as Mr. Cosgrave's Government always found, that the British, if met fairly, will be reasonable, even generous.