IRISH FREE STATE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 230, 29 August 1932, Page 7

IRISH FREE STATE.

DISCUSSION OF DIFFICULTIES. HOPE FOR SETTLEMENT. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Aug. 26. _ Questioned regarding his conversations at Ottawa with tho Irish Free State delegates, Mr J. H. Thomas said he had had many opportunities of discussing the difficulties with them, and he had hoped that the proposals he made would have resulted in a settlement. If that had not been achieved, he added, he was sure he had cleared the ground for further discussion. In these conversations he had acted with the complete concurrence of his colleagues at Ottawa, and, although he had not deviated from the attitude assumed before tho Conference, he could, hope that the door had been opened as tho result of them for further discussion for a peaceful settlement of the outstanding differences.

OPTIMISM DISCOURAGED. LONDON, Aug. 28. Dublin is mystified by tho statements by Mr J. H. Thomas. Mr de Valera and his colleagues are silent. Mr de Valera’s organ discourages optimism. Tho results of the annual sheep sales in Meath County are only about oneseventh of tho minimum receipts of former years. The Irish Associated Railways have given notice of a reduction in wages. A banner at a boycott of British goods meeting at Dublin bore tlie inscription: “Burn everything British except coal.” , . The Government is establishing a bureau to receive complaints regarding excessive prices for food, clothing and fuel. . _ Lord Beaverbrook is touring Ireland. Ho is visiting Belfast and Dublin.