IRISH CONSTITUTION

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 August 1933, Page 7

IRISH CONSTITUTION

DE VALERA’S NEW PROPOSALS ■ ' -■ 7 ' LINK WITH CROWN WEAKENED [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] (Recd. August 10, 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, August 9. De Valera is introducing three bills to amend the Constitution. The first will transfer from the GovernorGeneral to the Executive Council, the function of recommending the purpose for which money is appropriated. The second removes the power of the Governor-General to withhold the King’s assent to bills. The third terminates the right of appeal to the King-in-Council. The bils mar ka further approach to a republic. The effect will virtually abolish the office of Governor-General, and drop all contact with the Crown. A proclamation is expected to-mor-row banning the Blue Shirts’ parade on Sunday. When the Dail met to-day, the Minister for Justice (Mr Ruttledge) ■evasively • answered questions about the presence of armed'; guards. He said that the number of recruits for the new police force would not exceed the deficiency of 465 in the numbers of the Civic Guards. He would not say whether a certain deputy was selecting the recruits.

BLUE SHIRTS’ DANCE SCENES. LONDON, August 9. Amazing scenes took place at the first annual dance of the Blue Shirts. A hostile crowd of 5000 gathered outside the ballroom in O’Connor Street, including the former Governor-General, Mr. James McNeil, his wife, and all ex-Ministers. Mr. Cosgrave arrived in a motor car showing signs of damage by stones, the windscreen being splintered. The Blue Shirts dashed out asking, “Are you hurt, sir?” Mr. Cosgrave replied with a grim smile, “No, thank you.” When Commandant Cronin, one of the Blue Shirts’ leaders, appeared, the crowd rushed him. A man grabbed his tie. The police tackled the crowds and detained a man. Later, stones were thrown at’ the doors of the ballroom. Several Blue Shirts were severely injured. The police charged with batons, but the crowd persisted in menacing everybody arriving.

The crowd dispersed after several baton charges. / A number of persons were treated,at -the hospital for minor injuries. It was learned at midnight that Mr. Cosgrave, who. intended making only a brief visit, was unable to leave the ballroom, the police being unwilling to become responsible for his safe departure. “SENSATIONAL LIGHT.”

LONDON, August 9. The “Daily Express’s” Dublin correspondent. says that sensational light is thrown on’the.‘Circumstances which prompted Mr De Valera to establish the new police. It‘Seems that a cenotaph in memory of Messrs Griffiths, Collins and O’Higgins, adjoins Parliament • House; The Government were informed that if Blue Shirts were permitted to; parade there in -strength, they intended to seize both the Government and Parliament buildings. This was to be a signal for the seizure of other Government buildings throughout the country. General O’Duffy and other Blue Shirt chiefs emphatically disclaim such intention, either now, or in the future. Meanwhile the Government Buildings and the Dail are swarming with guards, armed with guns, and tear gas bombs. FARMERS’ SPECIAL FORCE. LONDON, August 9. “The Times’s” Cork correspondent states that the Farmers’ Union ( of Southern Ireland has decided to establish a force to protect themselves against interference of their social rights.