FREE STATE LEGISLATION

Evening Star, Issue 21570, 16 November 1933, Page 11

FREE STATE LEGISLATION

EFFECT OF LATEST BILLS FUNDAMENTAL CHANCES IN CONSTITUTION Preti Association—By Telegraph—Copyright / LONDON, November 15. Mr De Valera’s Bills referred to in the House of Commons by Mr J. H. Thomas propose to abolish the power of the Governor-General to veto legislation or reserve it for the King’s consideration, abolish the right of appeal to the Privy Council, and transfer to the Executive Council authority to indicate to what purpose money shall be voted. DU VALERA SEEKS INFORMATION LONDON, November 15. In referring to the statement by Mr Thomas in tho House of Commons, declaring the British Government’s attitude to the proposed changes in the Irish Free State Constitution eliminating the Crown, Mr De Valera asked: Would the British Government say that the Irish form of government was a matter exclusively for the Irish people to decide, and that the decision would not be regarded as a hostile action or made the cause of aggressive action against them? Tho Irish people would understand that if they chose a republic they would lose membership of the British Commonwealth of Nations. Let them have such a statement' and the whole plan would be altered. He had no doubt what would be the choice of the Irish people. REPUBLIC THE AIM LONDON, November 15. (Received November 16, at 1 a.m.) Mr De Valera, replying to Mr Thomas, says: “ The Irish people haye never sought the responsibilities ' and privileges of membership of the British Commonwealth. They made an unmistakable choice in 1918, and those who submitted later to the treaty of 1921 did not abandon a republic for the privileges to which Mr Thomas refers.” AMOUNT IN DEFAULT ‘ LONDON, November 15. Mr J. H. Thomas told a questioner in the House of Commons that the Irish Free State’s total default to April, 1933, was £4,774,000, and from April to October 31 £2,473,000.