IRISH FREE STATE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 175, 9 July 1932, Page 7

IRISH FREE STATE

BRITISH LEGISLATION SPECIAL DUTIES BILL. PASSED BY LARGE MAJORITY. (British Official Wireless.) (Received 9, 12.39 pan.) Rugby, July 8. The final stage of tue Irish I’ree State Special Duties Bill was taken in committee of the House of Commons to-day when the third reading was passed by 222 votes to 30. Immediately afterwards the House of Lords gave the measure its f ormal first reading, so that it may be placed on the Statute Book without delay.

During the third reading debate Opposition speakers moved its rejection, declaring that, both sides having accepted the principle of arbitration, the negotiations should be further continued. Hopes were also expressed that the measure would be brought into use only as a last resource and that a conference will be given an opportunity of adjusting the matter.

Mr. Thomas said before asking the House to pass the Bill that the Government had satisfied themselves that they had exhausted every means of reaching a settlement. He recalled the decision of the Imperial Conference in support of arbitration being limited to an Empire Court and said that although the payments were governed by treaty the Government were prepared to submit the question for arbitration by such a tribunal.

Mr. Reynolds, discussing the special Irish duties, pleaded the witholding of the Bill pending a strenuous effort at Ottawa to reach agreement. Mr. Thomas replied: “It is an affair between Britain and Ireland. We must avoid dragging the other Dominions into the dispute. The Bill is not a bluff. The Government is still ready to accept a tribunal and not use the Bill, this is an. opportunity for Mr. de Valera to show real statesmanship and to reveal that lie possesses the, confidence of the British commonwealth.