BRITAIN AND EIRE

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22387, 28 April 1938, Page 1 (Supplement)

BRITAIN AND EIRE

Trade arid Defence Pact

Before the signing of the new agreement between Britain and Eire the Prime Minister (Mr Neville Chamberlain) entertained the President of Eire (Mr de Valera) and his colleagues to lunch at No. 10 Downing Street. ' Other guests were the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir John Simon), the Home Secretary (Sir Samuel Hoare), the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence (Sir Thomas Inskip), and the "Secretary of State for the Dominions (Mr Malcolm MacDonald). ' The agreement allows Eire the same privileges in trade as those enjoyed by other parts of the Empires Irish goods may now be imported customs free to Britain; Eire will admit British coal free of duty and will impose a duty on foreign coal. Where goods are not free of duty they will have the same treatment as similar goods from other parts of the Commonwealth. There will be special consultations to puf right any difficulties there may be.

The defence of the Irish coast is left to Eire. Already it has been promised thatEire would not permit her territory to be used as* a base for hostile operations against Britain. The trade agreement is to last three years and after that time may be brought to an end .by either Britain or Eire after six months' notice. , Mr Chamberlain presented Mr de. Valera with the pair of field-glasses which Mr de Valera handed over when he surrendered to the British troops in 1916. In Dublin the agreement has caused jpy - and gratification. The "Irish Times" says: "Mr Chamberlain and his colleagues have ■ shown.: a genuine desire to. meet the Irish half more .than half-way.? .«