ANNUITIES DISPUTE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 160, 8 July 1932, Page 7

ANNUITIES DISPUTE.

Mr. Thomas Explains Suspense Account. DEBATE IN COMMONS. LONDON, July 7. Referring to an amendment moved in the House of Commons by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. G. Lansbury, to reject the Irish Free State Special Import Duties Bill on the ground that the Free State had paid the dieputed money into a suspense account pending arbitration, Mr. Thomas reminded the Opposition that the Free State Land Act of 1923 made payment into a suspense account obligatory. (Cheers and laughter.) Mr. Lansbury, whose amendment described the bill as "a precipitate adoption of economic reprisals against the Free State," said it was essential for the Minister to remember that because there was a disagreement regarding the setting up of a tribunal at the Imperial Conference, the Statute of Westminster wae passed without any tribunal. This matter had been discussed as if the Free State were doing something which put it outside the pale of ordinary civilised States. The dispute was an honest dispute, not a question of money. The bill was a piece of penal legislation, which would only engender hatred and bitterness. Lieutenant-Colonel J. T. C. MooreBrabazon (Con., Wallaeey), speaking as half an Irishman, said that Mr. de Valera had no sense of honour. He had set a cunning trap into which the Dominions Secretary had fallen. As a result all the old animosity had been stirred up. "If Ireland swinge to a Republic at the next election," said the member, "the Dominions Secretary will be more responsible than any other man." (Cries of "No.") Mr. J. Maxton (Lab., Bridgeton, Glasgow) said Mr. de Valera and the Irish people were perfectly entitled to take the steps they were taking from first to last. # The bill was road a second time by 321 votes to 41. ARMS IN IRELAND? MR. DE VALERA QUESTIONED. DUBLIN, July 7. In replying to a question in the Dail, Mr. de Valera denied having received information that arms had bedn landed on the coast of Ireland or transferred across the land frontier. Mr. dc Valera admitted that he had received representations from another Government, but said he had taken all the necessary precautions. OTTAWA DELEGATES. IRISH PARTY NUMBERS 25. DUBLIN, July 7. It is officially announced that the Irish Free State delegates to the Ottawa Conference will mini her 25. They will be headed by Messrs. S. O'Kelly. S. Lemaea and Dr. Ryan. Cabinet Ministers. A Labour Senator, Mr. Johnson, is to go as an adviser. SMALL TRAVELLER. CHICAGO LAD'S VOYAGING. (Received 11.80 a.m.) SUVA, this day. Hartley de Gerald, aged 13, has arrived at Suva from Vancouver on a six weeks' tour of Fiji. He is the son of a Chicago banker and has travelled 50,000 miles since the age of six. He is unaccompanied.