BRITAIN AND ICELAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21153, 9 April 1932, Page 11

BRITAIN AND ICELAND.

REPLY TO DE VALERA. APPROVAL BY CABINET. (Received April 9, 12.45 a.m.) Times Cable. LONDON, April 8. The Times say:s that after a two hours' meeting of a special committee of the Cabinet, to which other members of the Cabinet were called in, a reply to Mr. de Valera was approved and is to be sent to Dublin immediately. A bill to abolish the oath is to be introduced in the Dail on April 20, the first day Parliament meets. Mr. dc Valera is determined that there shall be no oath negotiations with Britain. It is impossible to estimate the measure of support Mr. de Valera is likely to receive from the Labour Party and the Independents, who hold the Government's fate in their hands., SOUTH AFRICAN NOTE. FREE STATE'S ATTITUDE. EXPRESSION OF CONCERN. LONDON. April 7. The Government" of South Africa has sent a Note to the President of the Irish Free State Dail, Mr. de Valera, expressing concern as to the Free State s attitude toward the Empire. The fact that three Dominions have spontaneously followed Britain s action is regarded at Whitehall as one of the most interesting of recent, developments in Imperial relation;;.

Although the Prime Minister of South Africa, General Hertzog, retains the attitude of "South Africa first and the Empire second," lie adheres to the principle that as the Dominions have complete self-government, nothing should bo done to imperil the loyal and close working relationship among the equal partners.