PEACE WITH FREE STATE

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 23 May 1932, Page 7

PEACE WITH FREE STATE

LATE EDITION

WISH OF BRITISH PEOPLE LINKED WITH COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS IN FUTURE. DOMINION SECRETARY’S HOPES. (British Official Wireless.) Received 12.30 p.m., to-day. RUGBY, May 21. An important statement on Britain’s relations with the Irish Free State was made in a speech fit Hove by Mr. J. H. Thomas, Secretary for the Domniions. He emphasised his desire to avoid speaking m a controversial spirit, but said he felt it due to the people of Ireland and at Home that the position should be absolutely clear. After asking how could we suppose that greater sanctity would be attached to an agreement made in Ottawa than to one whicli had been made in London, Mr Thomas added: “What other attitude can we adopt? We have no choice. But are relations between the two countries to be on such a footing ? I cannot believe it. “The Government and the people of this country wish well towards the Irish Free State. We wish to see its people happy and prosperous. We believe the prosperity of the Free State is bound up with the prosperity of this country and that it is in the best interests of both countries that they should remain linked together within the British Commonwealth of Nations. It is in that spirit that ve approach the difficulties, fully conscious of all that is involved, but genuinely anxious to prove to our fellow citizens in the Irish Free State that it is to the future and not the past that nil men of goodwill must bend their energies. In this effort towards peace and contentment the Free State people can ( I hope, play their part.”