RETALIATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 165, 14 July 1932, Page 7

RETALIATION.

IRISH SENSATION.

BLOW AT BRITAIN. Emergency Bill to Counteract Import Duties. "IRELAND WILL TIGHT." (United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, July 13. Consternation was caused among the free trade exporters at Britain's imposition of the 20 per cent duty on Irish farm produce as from July 15, which has already been dubbed Black Friday. Agriculturists are of opinion that it will be hopeless to compete with Northern Ireland, Holland and Belgium. A sensation was caused this evening in the Dail when it was announced that Mr. de Valcra was to rush through an emergency bill retaliating on Britain before the recess, which was postponed until the week-end. The text of the measure is expected to-morrow. Mr. W. T. Cosgrave, discussing the agricultural estimates, declared that the situation was appalling. The Free State was now in a position 20 per cent worse than Australia, New Zealand or Denmark, and could not possibly bear the impost. Mr. O'Neill, a member of the Cosgrave party, said it would not be long before there was nothing to say for agriculture but prayers for the dead. Mr. C'orry, a dc Valerite and a farmer, declared that .England would not succeed this time. "We are sick of crawling to England," he said. "If England wants fight she can have it." Mr. E. Blythe, a Minister in the Cosgrave Cabinet, said the Free State may bo led to bankruptcy and complete social chaos by the Government's action. Regarding the order applying the duties under the Free State Import Duties Act, the British Treasury points out that the Free State exported agricultural products last year valued at £26,000,000, of which Britain. bought £23,000,000 worth. If that rate of exports is maintained the duties will yield £4,600,000 a year. The Free State's default at present is £4,117,000. Mr. de Valera, in the Dail last evening, announced that in the event of an agreement with Britain regarding the personnel of the proposed arbitration tribunal to deal with the question of the land annuities, the Dail would be summoned from the recess to give its approval if it thought that course desirable. "We are anxious for the earliest possible arbitration on the payments claimed by Britain," added Mr. de Valera.

OATH REMOVAL BILL. Senate Amendments Rejected By Dail. VALERA AND INDEPENDENCE. DUBLIN, July 13. The Dail discussed the Senate's amendments to the Oath Removal Bill, which Mr. de Valera said the Government opposed. Mr. Anthony, Leader of the Independt Labour party, said: "If it is Imperialism to honour our bond and to preserve the Free State's economic fabric, then I am an Imperialist." Mr. de Valera, in replying, asked whether, having declared their independence of the Empire, they were to allow themselves again to be submerged in it. "We should do no wrong," he said, "if we declared our independence to-morrow. "Britain has always threatened hostile action in such an event. Let us get that declaration from Britain and we will accept the challenge." The Dail rejected the Senate's amendments. The Minister of Justice, Mr. J. Geoghegan, stated that the police had reported drilling in many places by individuals and organisations without the Government's authority.

ORANGE PARADE. Enthusiastic Demonstration in Belfast. LOYALTY TO THE KING. BELFAST, July 13. The biggest Orange demonstration of recent vears was held at Belfast yesterday. "Fifty thousand Orangemen with bands and banners formed a procession five miles long. Thousands of people lined the streets. The residents in Roman Catholic houses drew their blinds while the procession passed. Mr. Joseph Davison, (Srand Master, declared that Ulster would resist the attempt to wheedle it into the Free State or a Republic. All sections of the demonstration adopted a resolution of loyalty to the King. Bonfires blazed in the streets of Belfast at night. Effigies of Mr. de Valera were hung from lamp-posts.