THE IRISH CHOICE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 16, 20 January 1933, Page 6

THE IRISH CHOICE.

An open declaration of policy has now been made by Mr. do Valera, and for the first time in the election campaign he has definitely stated that he stands for separation from the British Empire. Those, therefore, who vote for him will cast a definite vote for Ireland's complete political and economic independence. The Irish people have now to choose between independence and the substantial advantages of being inside the British Commonwealth. If Ireland chooses complete independence it will become as much a foreign country as Czecho-Slovakia. Under the treaty the Free State has enjoyed p. position of co-equality in the British Commonwealth, a position whose, reality has deepened enormously during the last ten years, Under the Cosgrave Government the Free State achieved by co-operation and amicable discussion a measure of independence even greater than was contemplated in the treaty, Mr. £e Valera j| oposes to put constitutional forms in the melting pot for the sakis of the shadow of the Republic, to sacrifice real-and^substantial advantages for some illusory gain in title. The question before the electorate is therefore clear. It is whether Ireland does or does not wish to retain a special connection with Great Britain. Will she sacrifice substantial advantages for what Mr. Lloyd George has called the "swagger" of complete independence?