Empire Ministers’ Talks—- Moves To Solve Fresh Problem Set By Eire

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 October 1948, Page 5

Empire Ministers’ Talks—Moves To Solve Fresh Problem Set By Eire

(Recd. 10,40 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 18. Political and constitutional lawyers in Britain and Eire are trying to find means by which Eire can maintain her Commonwealth association in the light of her declared intention of repealing the External Relations Act.. The prospects of working out a formula at this stage appear slight, says Reuter’s political correspondent. It is learned that no further meeting between the Eireann Ministers and the Dominions’ representatives .was arranged, but the exchange of ideas is likely to continue. A British spokesman said the Chequers talks were “most cordial and friendly, with the desire on the part of all to co-operate fully in attempts to solve the new problems.”

British Attitude

The British attitude showed determination to do the utmost to find a way round to legal difficulties, says the Australian Associated Press. It is emphasised that there is not the slightest hint of retaliation, or a trade war, or bringing pressure to bear on Eire, or of “wielding the big stick” in any way. The British attitude is not influenced by any political factor. Mr Patrick McGilligan, the Eire Finance Minister, said today that it was expected that the External Relations Act would be repealed immediately the Dail reassembled in the middle of November. Eireann Ministers’ Views

The Eireann Minister for Defence, Dr T. F. O’Higgins, said today: “We regard the Commonwealth as one of the great world factors for good. We are anxious to strengthen it and continue friendly relations. We feel that repealing the Act is in the best interests of Eire and the other nations concerned. There is no reason for rupture or break.” Dr O’Higgins said, of the fears that Irish citizens in Britain might be regarded as foreigners, that citizenship, besides other arrangements, can be arranged easily by treaties between the relative Govrnments. Mr Sean Macßride, Minister of External Affairs, said in Dublin that Eire wished to continue trade preferences. “We don’t see how the repeal of the External Relations Act should affect that business relationship,” he said. The Act hindered good relations between Eire and the Commonwealth. . Therefore it should go. Reuter’s Dublin correspondent says

that official opinion there appears to be that Eire is offering the Commonwealth the hand of friendship on the basis of a lasting understanding and, if it should be rejected, Eire would endeavour to place the responsibility on those rwho rejected it.

American Interest Reuter’s Washington correspondent says that the State Department is watching with particular interest the developments in Eire’s relations with the British Commonwealth. Officials will not comment, but it is stated authoritatively that they would be pleased to see the working out of a formula which would avoid. Eire’s complete breakaway from Britain, if only because it might set a pattern for Pakistan and India and provide strength to the British Commonwealth, whose continued existence is regarded in Washington as a powerful force for peace. Officials planning military cooperation with Western Europe have better memories of the difficulties caused by Eire’s neutrality in the Second World War. They felt that with Russia possessing the world’s most powerful submarine fleet those difficulties would be repeated, perhaps increased, if Eire chose to attempt to remain aloof in another world conflict.

“Could Become Nasty” A spokesman in Dublin said: “We don’t want to be nasty, but, if others should be .nasty, we could become nasty, too.” He dismissed as of no consequence the suggestion that the Irish minorities in the Dominions might be embarrassed and remarked that, if it came to deporting people of Irish origin. from the Dominions, several Dominion Ministers would have to be deported. A communique on the Commonwealth conference say st “Methods for closer consultation between the Commonwealth countries were examined in the" mdrning and afternoon sessions. Special attention was paid to consultation in the fields of international and economic affairs. A committee is to be set up to explore the various proposals put forward and report to a later meeting. “It was further agreed, in principle, that the status of High Commissioner should be raised. A committee was set up to examine this question in . detail and report back to a later meeting.” •