THE IRISH FREE STATE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22022, 3 August 1933, Page 9

THE IRISH FREE STATE

SEARCH FOR FIREARMS UR DE VALERA QUESTIONED DEBATE IN THE DAIL (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) DUBLIN, August 1. Referring to the week-end collection of arms Mr Cosgrave, in the Dap, asked Mr de Valera to state the number of firearms that had been collected, and the. .number it was proposed should he collected and left uncollected. Mr P. Ruttledge (Minister of Justice), replying, said that all certificates in respect to revolvers had been revoked. It was not in the public interest to disclose the number of small arms concerned. * Mr Fitzgerald asked for an assurance that adequate protection would be given to every person whose life was endangered, and to banks whose property was in danger; and that action be taken /gainst all illegal bodies, whether or not they were associated with the Government, in order to make them incapable of assassinating people supporting the State.

Mr Ruttledge replied that the Government’s actions were lawful. All the protection necessary had and would b_ given. Mr Cosgrave asked for leave to raise the matter on adjourning, resulting in a member of the Government shouting: “We gave you protection.?’ Mr Cosgrave retorted: “ You can take your protection if you like. I am able to; protect myself. I have never been on the run from my fellow-countrymen, which is more than the occupants of the front bench can say.” The Speaker agreed to a debate tonight. " , . . i GOVERNMENT ATTACKED DICTATED TO BY REPUBLICANS. DUBLIN, August 2. (Received August 2, at 8.30 p.m.) The debate was resumed, with a packed House and the public gallery crowded, including delegates to the World Education Conference. Mr Cosgrave,'in a short speech, said that the Government was chiefly remarkable for providing a number of sensations, including the removal of Mr M'Neill and General O’Dufty, which was apparently done to divert attention from its . real policy. A tense silence of three minutes followed Mr Cosgrave’s declaration, but eventually Mr Ruttledge, rising amid ironical cheers, said he had expected some Cosgrave supporter to rise in ipport of his leader.' He added that the Government had acted legally under the measure Mr Cosgrave passed in 1925, and its action was merely a stocktaking of licenses. Messrs Fitzgerald and Kenny declared that Mr Ruttledge’s statement meant that the Government had blundered and accordingly was blaming the civic guards. The revoking of licenses was imbecility, leaving banks and industrial firms unprotected. The Government would not touch the Republican Anny, provided its members did not show guns in public. The Government was simply obeying the Republican Army's orders. Mr Mac Dermot, the Leader of the Centre Party, said that the Government had covered itself with ridicule. Talk of stocktaking would not deceive a baby. . :,?No: attempt had beep made to recover illegal guns, although everybody knew where more guns were illegally held than legally. v Mr Costello, emphasising that a certain firearms certificate which was granted on Friday was Withdrawn on Saturday, said that the Government could have allayed public alarm by an earlier statement. Mr de Valera smiled, whereupon Mr Costello remarked: “No snigger from Mr de Valera will allay that uneasiness.” \ Mr Dillon,' son of the late Mr John ' Dillon, said that members of the Dail who went unarmed were running. the risk of the fate of the Irish leader who was ; r- murdered while he was not carrying a gun. He added that murders had been committed in Dublin streets and would recur unless precautions were taken. Mr M'Gilligan, referring to what he termed the scandalous behaviour of the Attorney-general with regard to men charged with illegal possession of arms, said that the Republican Army formulated the policy and the Government implemented it. Mr de Valera, in replying, said that the Government aimed, first, at finding if guns were under control, and, secondly, at ensuring that they were not used. He added that there was a large proportion of arms in the hands of supporters of the Opposition. “The Government is determined not to allow any private armies to parade in uniform or with guns in public places. The removal of the oath eliminated the reasons for the existence of the Republican Army and an excuse for anybody using force or possessing arms. The Free State has had greater peace and security in the last 18 months than in any previous 10 years.” r Mr Hogan, a former Minister, declared that all Mr de Valera’s acts were aimed at justifying “ his own criminal past,” He continued amid uproar, characterising Mr de Valera as “ a meticulous lover of constitutionalism, Who was never such a pettifogger or so insincere as when he thumped th° table in the Dail. This is only a trick to create a scare against the National Guard,” he added, “but it won’t work.” , THE NATIONAL GUARD TO PLAY IMPORTANT PART. LONDON, August 2. (Received August 2. at 9 p.m.) The Dublin political correspondent of V The Times says that the situation is developing rapidly. Undoubtedly the ..... week-end visits to the houses of members of the National Guard, bank managers, , , and others holding arms permits, none of which were renewed after July 31, /are part of the Government’s campaign against the guard, of which the Govern ment- is afraid owing to General O’Duffy’s prestige and powers of organisation. Although not avowedly Fascist, the. guard's aims combine those of Herr Hitler anil Signor Mussolini. General O’Duffy makes no secret of hi,-: intention eventually to participate in polities, although he has promised not to attempt - a coup d’etat. Nevertheless, the programme is attracting large numbers of young men from all quarters, and obviously the guard will play an important part in the future.