RECONCILIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22498, 16 February 1935, Page 13

RECONCILIATION

BRITAIN AND FREE STATE PROSPECT MUCH BRIGHTER _____ (British Official Wireless.) (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) RUGBY, February 14. In the Irish Free State Dail, Mr de Valera referred to the recent coal and cattle arrangement made between the United Kingdom and the Irish Free State, and indicated that he would welcome its extension. Mr J. H. Thomas, at the Constitutional Club (London), said the British Government would also welcome the extension of an arrangement of such nnjtual advantage to both countries. “If this one economic barrier is broken down, how fervently we all hope it may lead to permanent reconciliation,” he said. He assured the Irish Free State that there was no hostility and no bitterness, but a single-minded desire to be united; but the sanctity of agreements and membership of the British Commonwealth must always be fundamental to any settlement of the Irish difficulty. MR DE VALERA INTERVIEWED LONDON, February 14. (Received Feb. 15, at 5.5 p.m.) Mr de Valera, who was interviewed, said: “Mr Thomas’s statement brings back the position to 1932. I agree it is no use blinding the facts, and accordingly bring to Mr Thomas’s notice the most vital fact that history for 750 years has proved that the Irish will not for any consideration abandon the right to determine their own destiny and choose their political institutions. They desire to judge the extent to which they will , associa’-j and co-operate with other nations.”