OATH OF ALLEGIANCE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 120, 21 April 1932, Page 7

OATH OF ALLEGIANCE

BILL FOR REMOVAL. MEASURE BEFORE DAIL EIREANN. INDEPENDENT’S COMMENTS,

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received April 21, 12.20 p.m. DUBLIN, April 20. The galleries of the Dail Eireann were filled when the Bill removing the Oath of Allegiance was read the first time. Mr Frank McDermott, an Independent, in opposing the Bill, said he did not wish the Government to be defeated and its prestige undermined, but he thought the Bill was remote from the realities of the present situation. “Ireland is a great nation with a fine history.” he said. “If we regard ourselves as belonging to the British Commonwealth, the Bill is a breach of international good manners. Let us not behave like guttersnipes. If we cannot rid ourselves of the obsession that our rights are trampled upon and we want to leave the Commonwealth, let *us say so and go out like men and be done with it. I believe England will not'raise any legal or technical difficulties. If the Bill passes, I shall move requesting the Government to proceed with the romoval of Ireland from the British Commonwealth.” Mr Cosgrave will speak on the second reading on the 27th inst. The Opposition is challenging the future stages of the measure.