IRISH INDEPENDENCE "

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 9 April 1934, Page 5

IRISH INDEPENDENCE "

ATTITUDE; TOWARDS DOMINIONS • OUTLINED BY DE VALERA” (United Press Association—By Electrleß •'— n Telegraph—Copyright)- - (Received 9th April, 11.55 a.m.) '> : ““ LONDON, Bth April.' 77." Mr de Valera in a special interview 4 " • with the “Sun-Herald” disclosed'Hie’ aims and future relationships of the Free State with other members of - the f, - - British Commonwealth'. The interviewed* |J ’ asked what could the dominions expect" ' would be his Government’s attitudq fi trf > : '' !.' , i' i * r ” wards relationships,' say with Austrai,ia.' ‘• , ;: - on the attainment of the objective “of <■« l complete Irish independence. ’'Mr- cUrCi-,ui Valera replied: I am sincerely (and genuinely anxious to secure good rela-. ---- »•*!« tionships with all the states of the Brit--*; ish Commonwealth. There is much-in—*,J common to draw us together in' free -SK 1 ® A sociation. The ties of kindred corhmoiV. interests merit recognition. AlLthis,"'” V'' nevertheless, is secondary to our-para»U .ou-r-i mount aim, which is to obtain real in l -"''"! -\ r dependence. Our people have' struggled,<iK for this for over seven centuries‘and*"*'! !::y.? will not rest until they are successful*.! im., *(1/ If we are not allowed independence ■?[( without ‘completely severing relations',,: ~7-iA with the countries of the commonwealth -D' then we are prepared for that steaVi«*.**,*'.i Australians and Canadians find it dif- ,';9 ficult in understanding our attitude, TiGS,' jivnmi* cause their past relations with ‘Britaina were different from ours. Canada anct -* Australia are .prepared to regard Britain as the'mother country, but to- us,,Bn r „ .-.»*• tain has been the invader who ago robbed us of our national -_sov-, -•■ ereignty and has since 'resisted . to regain it. We are not bound to-Brit/- ~7, ain by any ties of filial , regard.-.; t>;jqregard ourselves as much the motncF country as is Britain. That, is P,V9Y?v-, by the multitude of Irishmen not-only in the United States.-but also an Aus.-.-. tralia and Canada. The fact that so . many Irishmen settled in the states. 6,, tile commonwealth is one of my reasons (() . for believing that once our independence, is accepted a practical scheme for' the" f association and co operation on matte* s ~ of common interest obviously lirclucling trade and defence, could b e worked, ou,.