TERRITORIALS FOR FREE STATE PROPOSED VISIT TO N.Z.

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21085, 9 February 1934, Page 9

TERRITORIALS FOR FREE STATE

PROPOSED VISIT TO N.Z.

A COSTLY ARMY OPPOSITION TO GOVERNMENT PROPOSAL DUBLIN, February 7. Mr Frank Aiken (Minister for Defence) announced in the Dail Eireann that the Government proposed to establish a volunteer territorial army of 24,000 at a cost of £243,000. It would be composed of three groups, one group consisting of territorials between 18 and 25 years of age, another consisting of men less than 45, and a third consisting of men between 45 and 55. Training would be at drill halls and camps. General R. J. Mulcahy said the scheme was amazing and costly. Twenty of the officers appointed to organise the new army had formerly attacked the Free State. It would not replace the regular army. A member interrupted and used the word •'irregular." Mr de Valera rejoined: "The forces which opposed me in 1922 were irregular. My followers were regulars." The proposal was passed by 73 votes to 57.

| MR THOMAS'S PLANS j I NO OFFICIAL INFORMATION LONDON February 7. The Dominions Office states that no decision has been reached about the proposed visit of Mr J. H. Thomas (Secretary of State for the Dominions) to Australia and New Zealand. No information is available a'bout the purpose of the visit, but according to the "Evening Standard" Mr Thomas was invited to participate in the Melbourne centenary celebrations. An intimate friend of Mr Thomas told the Australian Press Association that he had long been considering a visit to Australia and New Zealand, which he was most anxious to carry out. A Sydney "Sun" message says: "Sir James Parr's suggestion that Mr Thomas should visit the Dominion has aroused keen speculation. The question is asked whether, as they sat together at dinner, the suggestion was made with Mr Thomas's approval." MR BERNARD SHAW'S VISIT STUDY OF MAORI LIFE MOTOR TOUR OF DOMINION LONDON, February 7. The "Star" says Mr Bernard Shaw will spend a month on a motor tour el New Zealand, studying Maori life and ways. Sir James Parr (High Commissioner) has presented him with two of Jimes Cowan's Maori ethnological books, also a novel with a Maori background.