INTENSE SURPRISE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 250, 5 October 1932, Page 7

INTENSE SURPRISE

IRISH FREE STATE GOVERNORGENERALSHIP

MANY RUMOURS IN DUBLIN.

NEWSPAPER COMMENT RESTRAINED.

(British Official Wireless.) (Received 5, 12.30 p.m.) Rugby, Oct. 4. The announcement that in accordance with advice tendered to His Majesty by Mr de Valera the King had approved Mr James McNeill relinquishing the office of Governor-General has caused intense surprise in London and Dublin. It is known that the relations between Mr McNeill and the de Valera Ministry had been strained ever since the latter took office. The friction was publicly revealed last July when the Governor-General, despite Mr de Valera’s ban, which later was removed, published correspondence in which he complained of discourtesy towards him by the Free State Government at public functions before and during the Eucharistic Congress in Dublin. In the course of these letters Mr McNeill said he did not think he ought voluntarily to resign, stating that he knew Mr de Valera had the power to have him removed. This power resides jn the findings of the Imperial Conference of 1930 and subsequently embodied in the Statute of Westminster.

This statute requires that the Ministers who tender any are responsible for advice relating to the appointment of a Dominion Governor-General are His Majesty’s Ministers in the Dominion concerned. It is further provided that the Ministers concerned shall tender their formal! advice after informal consultation with His Majesty. ' The Free State High Commissioner in London, Mr John Dulanty, who waited open the King at Balmoral last month, was the channel through which the advice was tendered. On leaving Balmoral Mr Dulanty visited Dublin. Mr McNeill, in response to a Royai summons, came to Londofi and yesterday had an audience with and took leave of the King. On relinquishing his office he had the special honour of being invited to luncheon with the King and Queen. There is no clear indication as to What the next step will be and there are many rumours in Dublin as to the future of the Governor-Generalship. One of these is that,for the time being a commission of judges will act for the Governor-General.

Meanwhile, newspapers suggest that the removal of the Governor-General may be a prelude to reopening negotia tions with the British Government over the land annuities dispute. Mr du Valera will meet Mr Thomas and other British Ministers in London to-morrow Newspaper comment is restrained “The Times” says: “The King’s assent to Mr de Vafera’s formal submission implies no reflection on Mr McNeill’s tenure of office, which, to all appearances, has been admirably dignified and correct; nor will Mr McNeill complain of the Royal decision, which indeed is proof conclusive—if proof be needed—that the people of the Free State are at complete liberty under the treaty to order their own affairs and that Mr de Valera’s familiar eloquence about ‘the British vote’ is so much empty ranting.” “FLIMSY AND PETTY.” The “Manchester Guardian” says: “Mr de Valera seized the opportunity to assert a constitutional right of the Dominion on grounds which are flimsy and petty and he is far less concerned with choosing a more acceptable Governor-General than with twisting the tail of his political opponents in Ireland and making a fresh gesture of defiance against the British connection.” The “News-Chronicle” says: “To Englishmen it is all a little mystifying and a little tedious.” In meeting Mr de V alera, Mr Thomas will be accompanied by Mr Neville Chamberlain, Lord Hailsham and probably Sir John Simon. It is understood that the object of the meeting is to renew discussion on the withholding by the Irish Free State of land annuities due to Britain, and the present economic relations between the two countries. LAND ANNUITIES PROBLEM. (Received 5,' 2.0 p.m.) London, Oct. 4. The “Daily Herald’s” proposal to refer the problem of land annuities and other financial matters in dispute with the Free State to a tribunal of six legal experts, of . whom three would be appointed by each side, is to be discussed at Wednesday’s meeting at the Dominions, Office. Such a tribunal would be modelled on the lines of the Alaskan boundary dispute of 1903. CHEERS FOR MR DE VALERA.

(Received 5, 2.0 p.m.) London, Oct. 4. Irish enthusiastically cheered Mr de Valera on his arrival at Victoria Station. The police had to force an exit to the waiting car, which crowds followed shouting: “Up de Valeral” “The Republic forever!” “To H with McNeill!” Mr de Valera refused to make a statement.