POLITICAL CRISIS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 32, 1 November 1932, Page 9

POLITICAL CRISIS

Expectation in Free State RUINOUS NEW DUTIES Heading for Bankruptcy “ANYTHING MAY HAPPEN” By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. (“Times” Cable.) (Rec. Oct. 31, 7.50 p.m.) Dublin, Oct. 30. The increase of the duties on farm produce to 30 per cent, after November 15 spells ruin if it is maintained for many months. The effect on the Christmas trade in poultry is likely to be calamitous. The Free States whole agricultural economy is heading for bankruptcy, inducing a feeling that a political crisis is certain in the next few weeks. The Labour Party is growing increasingly restive. Unemployment has risen to alarming proportions and the resources of the poor relief system are in the last stages of exhaustion. Anything may happen if the Government adds to the discontent by enforcing collection of the annuities. Twelve persons suffered head injuries in a clash at Mallow when General Mulcahy addressed a White Army meeting. A member of the White Army was shot in a leg. A STIR IN BELFAST Prince’s Coming Visit PREPARING FOR WELCOME London, Oct. 30. The “Manchester Guardian” says that a stir has been created in Belfast by the publication in a Nationalist newspaper of the text of a circular issued to 200 Orange lodges in the city, emphasising the desire to maintain the traditions of an Imperial Province and give the Prince of Wales a right royal welcome.

Accordingly the Grand Lodge has offered the assistance of Belfast Orangemen in lining and safeguarding four miles of the route from the City Hall to Parliament Buildings. At least 10,000 brethren will be required. They will rank as volunteer constables and wear a distinguishing badge. LAST OFFICIAL ACT Irish Governor-General London, Oct. 30. Mr. James McNeill performed his last act as Governor-General of the Irish Free State by signing three Bills to

which the Senate had assented. He will vacate the Vice-Regal Lodge on Tuesday. . The appointment of his successor is expected in a fortnight. POINTS IN DISPUTE Conference Deadlock THE LAND ANNUITIES Official wireless Rugby, October 30. The White Paper which contains correspondence relating to the recent conference in London between the United Kingdom and Irish Free State representatives presents first a memorandum indicating the reasons why the Irish Free State declined to make certain payments to the Government of Great Britain. In this the Free State Government declines to recognise that, there is any binding force in certain instruments upon which the British Government relies. It states that the instrument of February 12, 1923, is not binding, because, among other reasons, it was not submitted to the Irish Parliament for ratification. It was merely provisional. The ultimate financial settlement of March, 1926, it states, is open to the same objection. The Free State Government contends that land stocks are part of the public debt of the United Kingdom, and should therefore under the 1925 Agreement, which amended the Irish Treaty, remain the liability of the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom observations, In reply to this memorandum, point out that, according to the recognised practice of the nations, agreements concluded between representatives of Governments are binding upon the Governments concerned, unless expressly subject to ratification. No such statement occurs in the agreements of 1923 or 1926, which were signed by the Ministers on each side. Concerning the question of the land annuities, it states that “there are many considerations which show that Irish land stocks are not part of the public debt or national debt of the United Kingdom. They have never been so shown in the United Kingdom accounts. They are a contingent liability since the primary security is the land purchase fund, and the United Kingdom Government is only a guarantor. Apart from technical considerations, it is said to be perfectly clear that, when the agreement of 1925 was signed by which the Free State was absolved from bearing any share of the public debt of the United Kingdom, neither party intended to include land annuities in this term.**