DAIL DEBATE

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 October 1933, Page 7

DAIL DEBATE

MR DE VALERA’S ESTIMATE; [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] (Recd. October 2, 10 a.m.) LONDON, October 1. “I have listened to many debates, but never one more dishonest than the Dail’s censure debate. It was disgraceful and insincere,” declared Mr De Valera, at BalagiiaGerren. "You would think our opponents had never heard of the conspiracy to break up local government by non-payment of rates. Some of the Opposition used their Parliamentary position to prejudice cases before the Court. We are living in different times and want discipline. Anyone interfering with discipline and unity is an enemy of the people. Our opponents are attempting to dishearten the people, hoping we are beaten, but we are not going to be beaten. Referring to the economic war, Mr De Valera said he had never seen the slightest suggestion that Britain would listen to reason or justice. “De Valera is guilty of grave contempt of Court,” declared Mr Lavery, King’s counsel, defending Cronin Belton, a member of the Dail, and two other prominent persons before a Military Tribunal, on a charge in connection with the auction of cattle seized, owing to the farmers’ non-payment of rates. Mr Lavery, referring to the nine Waterford farmers, who will be cited before the Tribunal on a charge of conspiracy of non-payment of rates and intimidation, said that De Valera had prejudiced the case, when speaking txt Dundalk on September 10, when he characterised Mr MacDermott’s antirate campaign as an illegal conspiracy, wherein the farmers were intimidated into a refusal to pay rates, while others were boycotted and their names circulated to owners of threshing machines. Mr Lavery 'said the High Court would in such a case call upon De Valera to answer for alleged contempt. The President of the Tribunal expressed the opinion there was no immediate urgency regarding the matter, and proceeded with the trial.