A British Subject

Inangahua Times, 14 November 1934, Page 4

A British Subject

The Government ®f the Irish I Free State has issued a text of a I riHzorishin Bill under which the I title " British subject ” is abolished] in favour of a “ citizen of the Irish] Free State.” By British law every person born within his Majesty’s dominions and allegiance is a British subject, no matter what the nationality of his parents. The Constitution of the Irish Free State gives citizenship to every person domiciled within the Free State area when the Constitution took - effect (December 6, 1522) if he or either of his parents was born in Ireland or had been resident for seven years in the Free State area. But any such person who is a citizen of another State may elect not to accept Irish citizenship. While most of the persons included would be in any event British subjects, it is clear that a certain number of citizens, born of foreign fathers and Irish mothers, such as Mr de Valera, would be made citizens even if not already British subjects. The Free State at the same time provided that citizenship should be the basis of political rights. In the issue of passports to its citizens the Irish Free State is careful to avoid describing them as British subjects, with the result that up to 1930 British Consuls abroad were not in a position to take measures in their interests. The form later adopted describes the bearer as “ a citizen of the Irish Free State and of the British Commonwealth of Nations,” and British Consuls can I recognise this suflieient authority for action. There is no doubt that since the Statute of Westminster Mr de Valera has power to declare that Irish nationals are not British subjects, but he cannot prevent the British Government deciding at its discretion what persons it shall deem to be British subjects, and any restrictions which it may decide

upon must rest upon agreement and British legislation, not on Dominion authority.