IRISH CONTROVERSY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17820, 1 July 1932, Page 7

IRISH CONTROVERSY

BRITISH RETALIATION COLLECTION OF ANNUITIES DRASTIC POWERS PROPOSED (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) LONDON, June 29. Mr. Baldwin made an important announcement in the House of Commons to-day regarding the measures to recover moneys due from the Free State for annuities. These, lie said, are being paid to stockholders as guaranteed by the British Government, but in order to safeguard British taxpayers, Cabinet lias decided to introduce immediately a bill to bo passed through all stages without delay. Cabinet on Monday would decide the ratine of the levy to he made. This may be either in the form of import duties on certain classes of Irish goods, or a levy whereby half the purchase price of imports will ho payable to excise, leaving the Irish exporter to recover the amount from tho Free State Government. Continuing, Mr. Baldwin said that. Britain bought £23,500,C00 worth of food products from the Free State, which is 95 per cent, oi' her total exports. British ministerialists expect that there will lie a speedy dissolution of tho Irish Parliament. Mr Do Valera hoped to make the oath the issue at the election. but now be will lie forced to lest Irish opinion ori the question of annuities. . It is unlikely (hat a definite procedure will be’ embodied in the bill. Instead, the Treasury will he authorised to take nnv steps it deems proper to recoup itself for the loss of money due, the Treasury being given power to withdraw Dominion preferences from Urn Free State or remove Free State imports from the existing free list. Tho Government may not immediately put these powers into operation, but may use the Art, as a bargaining weapon to bring the Free State to heel.