AT OTTAWA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 168, 18 July 1932, Page 7

AT OTTAWA.

DELEGATES ARRIVE.

Ireland's Policy for Greater Empire Trade.

OATH ATTITUDE DISCUSSED

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

OTTAWA, July 17. Forty-sis delegates to the Empire Economic Conference, which will open on Thursday, from the Irish Free State, Northern Ireland, and Britain reached Ottawa ear'v yesterday morning. "Ireland intends to be free and slie will be free," declared Mr. Sean T. O'Kelly, Vice-President of the Executive, and head of the Free State delegation, in an interview at Quebec. He said the delegation was going to Ottawa in connection with economic questions. It was not his object to inject matters of political concern. "Ireland lqoks for a larger share of inter-Empire trade," said Mr. O'Kelly. "We are prepared to approach the conference on a basis of mutual advantage." Other members of the party were much more inclined to express themselves freely on the differences between the Free State and Britain and eomo interest was expressed in the reaction on Canadian public opinion. "Even if the oath of allegiance were removed the Free State would still be a member of the British Commonwealth," said Mr. O'Xelly. "The symbol of unity is the King, and the oath has nothing whatever to do with Ireland's relations with the other component parts of the Empire. "We go to the conference with some uncertainty in view of the collapse of the negotiations between Mr. do Valera and Mr. Mac Donald. Our instructions will be leceived at Ottawa however. In any case I feel free to enter into arrangements with the other Dominions respecting trading advantages." The main British delegation by the Empress of Britain is due to arrive at Quebec on Monday. A message from the vessel says the British Ministers meet morning and afternoon to consider the statement of British policy which Mr. Baldwin ■ will make at the opening of the conference. The liner is running through heavy seas and belts of fog. One delegate observed that the conference would not be a euccess if it merely passed pious resolutions. The Ministers were out for definite accomplishments.