IRISH FREE STATE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21643, 13 May 1932, Page 7

IRISH FREE STATE

PROVISIONS OF OATH BILL IN CONFLICT WITH TREATY OBLIGATIONS (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, May 11. In the House of Commons Mr C. E. Emmott asked if the Government intended to enter into negotiations with the Irish Free State in regard to the application of the Import Duties Act to the Free State after November 15. Mr J. H. Thomas replied: The provisions of the Irish Oath Bill are in direct conflict with the Free State’s obligations under the 1921 treaty. It appears to the Government that if the Oath Bill becomes law it would be unreasonable to expect Britain to enter into negotiations for further agreements with a Government which thus already repudiates an existing agreement. (Ministerial cheers.) The Australian Press Association understands that Mr Thomas’s statement means that each dominion will decide for itself whether to make agreements with the Free State at Ottawa. MR LANSBURY’S VIEWS FURTHER DISCUSSION LIKELY. LONDON, May 11. The Opposition Leader (Mr Lansbury) said the Oath Bill had not yet been before the Free State Senate, and he doubted if it would be of any advantage to discuss at present the position of Ireland at Ottawa, but when the matter was settled he would ask for a debate. Mr Baldwin promised to give favourable consideration to the matter. BUDGET PROPOSALS TAX ON SWEEPSTAKE PROFITS. LONDON, May 11. The Irish Budget proposals include a 25 per cent, tax on the hospitals’ share of sweepstakes drawn after March 1. This is estimated to yield £650,000. There will also be an increase in the income tax from 3s 6d to ss; a bachelor’s tax on £IOO upwards; an increase in the surtax, yielding £77,000; a tea duty of 4d. per lb. Sugar is reduced by -W per lb. The corporation tax is increased from 7i per cent, to 10 per cent. There is to be a package tax of 2d per parcel; entertainment taxes, including all out-door sports; an increased tobacco tax of 14d per lb, with a rebate of 7d on raw material received by manufacturers; gramophone records, musical instruments, clocks, watches, and kinema films to be taxed; newspapers and periodicals in bulk to be taxed 3|d per copy, with a preferential rate of Id. BILL MAY BE HELD UP LONDON,. May 11. (Received May 12, at 7.15 a.m.) The Daily Telegraph’s lobbyist naturally attaches great importance to Mr Thomas’s statement, which was made after a Cabinet discussion. The Conservatives are generally delighted at the Government’s firm stand, but it is explained from an authoritative quarter that the decision does not bind the dominions. It is also contended that it is easy to take an over-tragic view of the situation. The Oath Bill may be held up in the Irish Senate, and there may even be another election before it can be passed. A LOGICAL ATTITUDE MR THOMAS’S WARNING. LONDON, May 12.’ (Received May 12, at 11.10 p.m.) The Morning Post in a leader headed “No Oath, No Preference,” says: “Mr Thomas has given Mr de Valera fair warning that if the Free State should break one agreement it cannot expect to enter' another. They cannot proclaim themselves a Republic and also enjoy the advantages of being a dominion. This is not coercion. It is merely logic,” “This looks as if it means the end of Ottawa,” was the comment in Dublin political circles, Mr de Valera declined to make a statement. His supporters did not appear to be alarmed. One said smilingly: “We are going on with the old Bill.”