ACTION RESENTED

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 219, 15 September 1932, Page 7

ACTION RESENTED

BRITISH TAX LEVY.

Free State Labour Condemns Duties on Produce.

LAND ANNUITY ARBITRATION.

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

(Received 10 a.m.) LONDON", September 14. The Irish Labour party has issued a statement condemning ■ Britain's action in levying a tax on Irish farm produce. It demands that the Free State Government, from the resources of the country and its people, shall see that every family is supplied in the coming winter with sufficient food, fuel and clothing. The party urges that the sale of cattle for the British markets should be undertaken .by an organisation on behalf of the Government, the loss, if any, to be borne by the State. A further communication from Mr. de Valera lias been received by the Dominions Office concerning the Irish land annuities and is being considered by the Prime Minister and Mr. J. H. Thomas. It is understood that the Note repeats the suggestions made by Mr. de Valera in a speech two days ago, namely, that, pending arbitration, the annuities should be placed in the custody of a third party such as the Bank for International Settlements. It is also understood that the communication deals solely with, the land annuities question. There is no modification in Mr. de Valera's attitude towards the composition of the tribunal to which he is willing to refer the question for arbitration. The British Government throughout has expressed its willingness to arbitrate on condition that the members of the tribunal are chosen from within the Empire. The British reply to Mr. de Valera will be sent shortly. It will express the opinion that Mr. de Valera's letter, since it does not deal with the nature of the arbitration, docs not carry the matter any further. The point is also likely to be made that he says nothing of the position should the negotiations fail. If his attitude is that the money paid for land annuities will be kept in the Free State it is obviously not acceptable;