Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, MARCH 17th., 1934. IRELAND’S DAY.

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 March 1934, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, MARCH 17th., 1934. IRELAND’S DAY.

gT. Patrick’s Day makes all the Empire think of Ireland, and perhaps the chief thought of most well-wishers to that country will be regret that the relations with Britain are not yet restored to the friendliest footing, especially as the dissensions cause immediate material losses to both, and endanger the sentimental ties which should unite such close neighbours. It is to be hoped that ere another St. Patrick’s Day arrives, wiser counsels will prevail, whoever is in charge of Irish administration, as the longer the disruption and misunderstandings endure, the more difficult it will be to restore harmony.

On behalf of the British Government, Mr. J. 11. Thomas recently said: “We shall not allow bitterness or prejudice of any sort to blind ns to the fact that geographically the ties between the Irish Free State and England are such that ought to make them friends, that ’ politically there, is nothing that any Irishman need desire, so far as political freedom and liberty are concerned, which is not contained in the Constitution under which they are living to-day. As far as wo are concerned, the door will never be closed, to an honourable settlement.” Meanwhile, Mr. De Valera remains adamant on the subject of the payment of land annuities and of partition, declaring that the money belongs to the Irish people, and that “the partition of the country was a crime committed by British statesmen in the mistaken belief that the division of Ireland would serve British interests.” The Free State Senate unsuccessfully urged Mr. De Valera to approach the British Government with a view’ to considering , how the economic policies of the respective Govern-

merits can be reconciled to the ad-:

vantage of each, so as to restore the Free State to the advantages of re-inclusion in the British Commonwealth of Nations. “Mr. De Valera,” remarked Senator Cogarty, ‘ ‘ is costing this country one and a-half million pounds a year in his vanity war. Is even a good i Irishman worth that amount?” The cabled news to this country about Irish happenings is mainly “agin the Government,” and thus the good work achieved by the present Administration does hot get adequate publicity. Perusal of Home newspapers suggests that the masses in Ireland are better off under Mr. De Valera, than they were under Mr. Cosgrave, and thus, the Government majority in the country is not yet lost. General 0 ’Duffy and his followers are engaging in. effective organising work’ for the Opposition, but it will take time for the ground to be fully covered, and in the opinion of the unbiased, an early election would result in the return of the Government. Mr. De Valera himself is acknowledged as easily first among all the political leaders. As a cross-roads orator, he is said to have no equal in the country. Tie lacks rhetorical artifice and puts his case in plain straightforward language, rarely resorting to personalities, avoiding argument, and always pointing to a free and prosperous Ireland as the goal., He has all the qualities of a religious fanatic with a message to give and a kingdom to establish. By his sincerity and stubborn baffling consistency he makes an irresistible appeal to those who believe they are downtrodden and oppressed. As for the Government’s policy, apart from the hostility to Britain and the desire to set up a republic, there is much in it that is commendable. Mr. De Valera is striving to develop Irish industries, and has met with considerable success. Loans are easily raised, and are being spent on popular relief works, building schemes, and grants. The campaign to make Ireland self-sufficient meets with majority approval, and, generally, it cannot be fairly said that the Government domestic policy has yet failed, although some predict a day of reckoning is ahead. In any case, Irish internal affairs are a matter for the Irish people themselves to decide. If the dispute with Britain were not so serious m possibilities, this St. Patrick s Day would be an occasion for national rejoicing. But the “if” in this instance is important, and constitutes a cloud on the horizon that must cause anxiety to all real Irish patriots. The next twelve months may see important changes, and it is to be hoped that the chief of these will be less disunity among Irishmen at home, and greater concord with Britain.