EIRE MINISTERS ACCUSE BRITAIN OF BAD FAITH

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 May 1949, Page 5

EIRE MINISTERS ACCUSE BRITAIN OF BAD FAITH

LONDON, May 21.—Eire’s Minister of External Affairs (Mr Sean Macßride), speaking in Dublin, accused the British Government of bad faith. He said that at no time had the British Government informed the Eire Government of its intention to introduce provisions in the Ireland Bill relating to the partition. Mr Macßride said that there was understanding between the British and Eire Governments that they should consult on any moves taken as a result of the Republic of Ireland Bill. Yet the first intimation that the bill was about to be introduced had been received in Dublin 24 hours before! it was introduced in the House of Commons. »

Even if there had been no agreement the action of the British Government did not conform with a policy of friendship and co-operation The Prime Minister of Eire (Mr John Costello) said at Monaghan that the British Government had aroused the deepest resentment among Irishmen everywhere by it present legislation on Ireland. “When I met these men in negotiation last year they were honest, straightforward, and friendly to Ireland,” he added, “Since then they have been true to their word, but now we have, in the enactment of the Ireland Bill the classic spectacle of the Radical Government of England being tricked by the Tories.”