MR De VALERA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26781, 26 May 1948, Page 6

MR De VALERA

Sir.—l, too, protest against the proposed entertainment of Mr De Valera. His actions during the war brand him as disloyal to Britain (and New Zealand). If Mr Fraser has not the backbone to send him about his business instead of " hobnobbing ” with men of his ilk, he should accompany him right out of this country —and our grand little country would be none the poorer for their absence. We have no room here for disloyal subjects, and we want none.—l am, etc., Loyalty. Sir,'—“ British ” should know that Mr De Valefa’s Government was carrying out the express wish of the people in remaining neutral, irrespective of - politics Strict neutrality was carried out 100 per cent., this being the official attitude, but it did not prevent 200,000 Irishmen fighting in the Allied cause. The number of decorations, including seven V.C.'s, speaks for itself. - “ British ” would not want to know this, but there are none so blind as those who will not see. The Belfast engineer correspondent perhaps could inform him why the North Ireland ment, by a system of gerrymandering, has disfranchised 50 per cent, of the Opposition. At present majorities have been converted into minorities, one vote of a Government supporter is equal to two of the Opposition—democracy in line almost with Russia. The term Ulster is a misnomer—it is six counties in North-east Ulster that partition has got, With only 60 per cent, majority. Mr Churchill has been quoted—in 1914 this is what he had to say about the Belfast Unionists speaking at Bradford: The Tories denounce all violence except their own. They uphold all law and order, and application of force to others. t-But they themselves are to remain immune. Everyone knows how Mr Chruchill was treated at Belfast in the Liberal days—l am, etc., Ulsterman.

Sir,—X am in complete agreement with every word uttered by < " Loyal Ulsterwoman,” and condemn just as heartily all that ”Up Dev” writes. Here are some facts concerning Mr De Valera and his actions, quoted, from an Australian newspaper: " Not-only did he assist the enemy in the recent war,, but his record of treachery is also prominent In the 19141918 conflict. After a number •of subversive incidents during World War I, De Valera was gaoled, but .escaped in February, 1919. He gathered together his disloyal band and worked for the interests of the enemy by acts of sabotage against Britain. In February. 1920, he made the following statement: ‘As far as England is concerned, the Irish people wished and hoped that Germany might win the war. . . . Centuries ago we joined the Spanish when they made war upon England. For 100 years we supported the French in their war to destroy her. We shall do the same thing next time they are attacked. We always wish to see that Imperial tryrant beaten.’ This news item in the press of May, 1945, that ‘ the Prime Minister of Eire. Mr De Valera, called on the German Minister to offer condolence on the death of Hitler,’ shook all freedom-loving people. The English Star referred to his action in the following manner: ‘The forbidden fanatic who directs the affairs of Eire might have spared us yesterday’s tomfoolery. The New York Times reported that ‘ considering the character and record of the man for whose death he was expressing grief, there is something wrong with the neu-

trality of Mr De Valera.’ ... In January, 1944, De Valera, in referring to Eire being a republic, Said: 'We are an independent republic, acknowledging no sovereignty except that of our own people. We have our own Constitution, and no citizen of Eire owes any allegiance to Britain or the British Crown.’ ” There is a good deal more which I could quote from this paper as a reason for o"ur chucking Mr De Valera out of our country. Our Government should be utterly ashamed of daring to entertain him, probably at the expense of loyal taxpayers. In Sydney a monster meeting was advertised to be held in the Sydney Domain on Sunday, May 9. the purpose of which was to protest against the entry of De Valera into Australia. - Is it too late for similar meetings to be held in this country to have this man expelled from our snores? —I am, etc., Very Much Down Dev.