IRELAND BILL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27081, 16 May 1949, Page 5

IRELAND BILL

EIRE CITIZENS PROTEST DEMONSTRATION IN DUBLIN NZPA—Reuter—Copyright Rec. 9.56 p.m. DUBLIN, May 14. Nearly 100,000 people demonstrated last night in protest against the Ireland Bill now before the House of Commons. The Prime Minister, Mr John Costello, in an Eire-wide broadcast, said: “We can, without firing a shot, exercise such power behind a well-organised movement as will bring partition to an end. Britain is sabotaging her own defensive system by her policy. Every British Minister knows the grave wrong which has been done, but they have not the courage to face up to the privileged section of Northern Ireland.” Eire’s Foreign Relations Minister, Mr Sean Mcßride, said Britain had “ struck an unnecessary and destructive blow at a constructive approach to the solution of partition. Our message to the British Government is to cease interference in the affairs of Ireland.” Appealing for discipline, Mr Mcßride said that indiscipline would play into the hands of Britain and enable her to pretend that troops occupying the six counties were to protect the Unionist minority. The Opposition leader. Mr Eamon De Valera, said that if Britain were wise 'she would halt and seek concord and peace with Ireland. He said men of goodwill could make a settlement acceptable to both parties