BRITISH EFFORTS

Grey River Argus, 19 February 1935, Page 7

BRITISH EFFORTS

TO PERSUADE IRELAND. A LONDON VERSION. (Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.) LONDON, February 17. The “Sunday Chronicle’’ says: Influential business men in London and Dublin are making an effort to heal the Anglo-Irish breach. The British representative at the Vatican is endeavouring to secure the co-operation of the Cardinals. It is understood that a Vatican diplomatic official will go to Dublin shortly to assist in reconciliation. DE VALERA-THOMAS EXCHANGES. (British Official Wiraless.) RUGBY. February 14. At the luncheon of the Constitutional Club, at London, Mr J. 11. Thomas referred to the matter of trade with the Irish Free State. In the Free State Dail, Mr De Valera had referred to the recent coal an I cattle arrangement made between the United Kingdom and the Irish Free State, and had indicated that he would welcome its extension.

Mr Thomas said that the British Government would also welcome the extension of an arrangement of such mutual advantage to both countries. “If this one economic barrier is broken down,’’ he said, “how fervently we all hope that it may lead to a per nrairent reconciliation.” He assured the Irish Free State that there was no hostility ami no bitterness, but h single-minded desire to be united; but the sanctity of agreements, and membership of the British Commonwealth, must be fundamental to any settlement of the Irish difficulty. IRISH PEOPLE’S ATTITUDE. DUBLIN. February 14. Mr Do Valera, interviewed, said: “Mr Thomas's statement brings baes the position to 1932. 1 agree it is no use blinking facts, and accordingly I would bring to Mr Thomas’s notice the most vital fact; that history, for 756 years, has proved that the Irish will not, for any consideration, abani on the right to determine their own rlestiiiv and to choose the political institutions which they desire, anil to judge the extent to which they wiH associate and co-operate with other nations. ’ ’ IRISH CITIZENSHIP. DUBLIN, February 14. In the Dail Eireann Mr MacDermott (United Ireland Party) condemned the Aliens Bill, declaring it labelled kith and kin in various parts of the British Commonwealth as aliens. Mr Costello, a former Attorney' General, said that under the Bill Archbishop Mannix and Bernard Shaw could be aliens. Mr De Valera said that nothing could prevent them remaining Irish citizens. If they were born in the Free State, they wore entitled, under the Nationality Bill, to be regarded as citizens.

The Bill passed the second read ing by’ 53 to 37.