BAN ON BLUE SHIRTS

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 24 August 1933, Page 5

BAN ON BLUE SHIRTS

ANSWER BY THE LEADER DECREE DEEMED UNLAWFUL. DISCUSSION IN THE SENATE. WARNING BY MINISTER, (.United l’resa A«ocuitlou —By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) DUBLIN, Aug,. 23. “The Blue Shirts are neither Fascist, imperialist nor Communist; not even the Bublio Safety Act enables the Government to forbid the wearing of Blue Shirts nor proclaim the National Guard unlawful,” declares General O’ Duff v. “If we are banned we are therefore unlawfully banned and not bound to recognise it. The National Guard will face any kind of persecution. A period of coercion will only strengthen us.” . Mr Ruttledge announced in the Senate that the- Government; possessed sufficient information that the National Guard was heavily armed and was importing further arms into the Free State. “We have made it perfectly clear that the people will not be allowed publicly to parade with arms and uniforms,” he said. “General O’Dufty has accepted that challenge. If we get people with arms in public we w ill deal with them also.’ While the Cabinet was reaching its decision to ban the Blue Shirts Sir John Keane was moving that disarming and banning of Blue Shirts parades was unjustified. He declared the Government was using its powers against constitutional, loyal citizens at the bidding of the heavily armed Republican Army. He added that public anxiety had been increased by the withdrawal of arms needed for protection, but the men deprived of weapons would take steps to protect themselves, if not openly then otherwise. They would not stand like sheep before the slaughter or like condemned men awaiting execution. , Senator Comyn declared that tnc Republican Army would never be • uppressed until _ it achieved an allIreland republic. „ ~ Sir John Keane, after Mr Ruttspeech, withdrew his motion, saying he hoped the Government would be able to ensure peace. He did not envy it the job. Sir John Keane added that a large section of the Irish people believed •when the opportunity came the risl] Republican Army would usurp the functions of the Government.