IRELAND AND BRITAIN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21319, 21 October 1932, Page 11

IRELAND AND BRITAIN

LONDON PARLEYS MR. DE VALERA'S REVIEW LITTER RECRIMINATION ACCUSATION OF BIAS ME. COSGEAVE'S RETOET By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received October '2O. fi.25 p.m.) DUBLIN. Oct, 19 The opening of the Dail to-day was preceded by a " hunger march " by 2000 unemployed, who were drenched by heavy rain. In reviewing the recent London negotiations the President of the Dail, Mr. de Yalera, said: "Whenever there was a question of .arriving at an ultimate financial settlement the discussions showed that the British Government was not prepared to admit, Ireland's claims to justice. Possibly if we had gone in the vole of beggars, with our hats in our hands asking for connideration and for charity, there might have been a disposition to make minor modifications or some mitigation of our claims, but simple justice they were not prepared to concede. "They take their stand on the inviolability of the secret documents of 1923 and 1926 and refuse to budge from it." Mr. de Yalera read a passage from Mr. J- R- Thomas' statement, and said he concluded that the present British Government, pressed forward by certain antiIrish feeling in Britain, and supported by the attitude of a minority in the Irish Free State, was not prepared to examine' the position on its merits or to yield tC> claims for justice. Whilo the British Government was playing the part of Shylock toward the Free State, it was petitioning America for a release from its debts and playing the role of Lady Bountiful on the Continent. " We do not regard the land annuities as legally or morally due, and we intend to defend our rights," Mr. de Yalera declared. " The tariff war is bound to involve hardships, but eventually it will relieve the Free State of its dangerous dependence en the British markets." The. Leader of the Opposition, Mr. W. T. Cosgrave, said it. was slander to suggest that a minority in the Iree State was opposed to a settlement. There was more Irish blood among some of the members of the Opposition than among Government members on the front bench. Owing to the Government's policy unemployment was growing, the market was diminishing and opportunities of securing Imperial preferences were disappearing. Replying to a question Mr. de 'N alera said the implication in Mr. Thomas' statement regarding an Irish Republic was incorrect. The question of secession could not arise until the people gave the Government a mandate. FRESH TARIFFS FREE STATE ACTION PREFERENCES TO EMPIRE (Received October 20, 9.35 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 19 The Irish Free State has imposed new tariffs on yarns, jewellery and metal ware, giving the Empire, including Britain, preferences ranging from 10 to 15 per cent. The new tariffs also include filled Christmas stockings for children, Easter eggs, and a wide range of goods on which the duties are" 15 to 100 per cent.