Sanctity of Agreements

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6865, 23 May 1932, Page 7

Sanctity of Agreements

Broken by Irish Oath Act FREE STATE CANNOT BE TRUSTED SAYS MR THOMAS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph —Copyright. LONDON, Alay 20. Speaking at the Brighton Empire Shopping Week, Mr J. H. Thomas, Secretary for the Dominions, referring to tho Free State, said he did _not want to speak controversially but it was essential to mako the British position clear. The hope and bolief that the Treaty would open a new era after a long period of bitterness had been justified and the last decade witnessed a marked improvement in political relations and growing friendship and understanding between England and Ireland. The Free State became am equal member of the British Commonwealth and its representatives had been in the forefront of constitutional development, resulting in the establishment of a group of nations on tho footing of complete equality. “If all that work is wasted it will mot bo our fault or wish. 1 stand by every word of my recent utterances regarding our relations with the Free State, wherein we based our position simply on the sanctity of treaties and the maintenance of agreements. How could wo negotiate fresh agreements with the Free State if the existing ones are not observed. Could wo suppose greater sanctity would be attached to a treaty made at Ottawa than at London.” The Irish Free State axnounces that the acceptance of the Ottawa invitation still holds good. The Government will be prepared to commence discussion with other Governments when its conference preparations aro sufficiently advanced.

The Simplicity of Mr. De Valera

Received (Sunday, 9.50 p.m. LONDON, Alav 22,

President de Valera, replying to Air. Thomas, asks why when ho referred to the sauctity of treaties and agreements he omitted to mention those embroidered reports of the Imperial Conferences of 1926 and 1930 defining the mutual relations of tho States of the British Commonwealth, adding: “Surely Britain docs not claim the right to dictate to the Irish peoplo and forbid them to adopt measures they deem wise and necessary for their own internal peace. In what conceivable way can the removal of the Oath enable the normal method of Government to replace coercion and injure Britain? Why should our right to pass it bo questioned or denied?” Air. de Valera is dispatching a reply regarding the land annuities. Ireland and Ottawa BRITAIN CHALLENGED. DUBLIN, Alay 20. Declaring that the Ottawa Conference was primarily a trade affair transcending political considerations, Air. do Valera’s newspaper, in a leader, challenges Britain to accept Air. J. H. Thomas’s attitude. The newspaper says that Britain cannot afford to ignore Ireland’s annual £50,000,000 of purchases. Those wanting to debar the Free (State’s attendance will be disappointed. Aloreover, the Conference will fail, if economic considerations arc subordinated to political prejudices.