IRISH REPUBLIC

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21615, 6 October 1933, Page 9

IRISH REPUBLIC

DE VALERA'S AIM THREE VITAL BILLS OPPOSITION'S POLICY FOLLY OF THE MOVE GOVERNMENT CRITICISED By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received Octobor 5. 7.5 p.m.) DUBLIN. Oct. i In tho Dail to-day the Government's three constitutional amendment bills were read a second time. Mr. Macdermott, in explaining the United Ireland Party's attitude toward the economic duel with Britain, said: "We are prepared for equal partnership in the British Commonwealth on the basis of a united Ireland, effective freedom for Ireland as a whole, with tho possibility of the removal of contrac-, tual obligation by mutual consent, and freedom to leave the Commonwealth whenever wo desiro to do so. "If the Government wants the 20 counties in a Republic and tho people cannot be taught tho folly of that without experiment, then go ahead and declaro a Republic. Tho economic war cannot end until tho Free State puts its cards on the table in regard to its constitutional relationship with Britain, which already has indicated that she is less concerned with the financial aspects than tho sanctity of agreements. Unfortunately, tho do Valera Government is less interested in obtaining good terms for the Free State than in repudiating and dishonouring its predecessors' every action. "It is ludicrous for the Government to decry the British market and simultaneously to spend money in bounties in order /to erkcr it."

Mr. do Valera introduced the three bills to amend the constitution of tho Irish Free State on August 10. The first measure provides for the transfer from tho Governor-General to tho Executive Council of tho function of recommending the purpose for which money is appropriated. The second bill provides for removing the power of the Governor-General to withhold the King's assent to bills. Tho third has as its object tho termination of the right of appeal to tho King-in-Council. Tho three bills mark a further approach to a republic. Their effect, if carried, will be virtually to abolish the office of Governor-General and to drop all contact with the Crown. DAIL SENSATION CHARGE WITHDRAWN, MR. DE VALERA'S APOLOGY DUBLIN. Oct. 4 Mr. de Valera caused a sensation in tho Dail to-day which almost equalled that created by the statement he made last Thursday. Ho announced: "At General Mulcaliy's request I agreed to establish a tribunal to inquire into the allegation that ho had had conversations with Viscount Hailsham, British Minister of War, but my informant refused to give evidence. Indeed, ho confessed that tho information was not true. I rcgrot deeply having given publicity to a falsehood, and I apologise to General Mulcahy." _ \ General Mulcahy reiterated his demand for a public inquiry and Mr. W. T. Cosgrave emphasised that the story had gained sucfy wido currency that it would bo hard to overtake. Eventually tho Speaker intervened. Previously there was an extraordinary scene when a man stood up in tho gallery and, speaking in Irish, demanded political treatment of tho publican prisoners in Mountjoy prison. Civic Guards rushed at tho man and hustled him out. Anothor man interrupted, speaking in English, and repeated the protest, but ho also was ejected.