IRISH CRISIS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18207, 30 September 1933, Page 5

IRISH CRISIS

TENSE SCENE IN DAIL CENSURE MOTION DEBATE G OVERNMENT ASSAILED DE VALERA HOWLED DOWN (Elec. Tel, Copyright—-United Press Assn.) DUBLIN, Sept, 28. The Dali was crowded for the censure debate. There was a tense atmosphere. A dozen deputies wore blue shirts and black ties. Mr MacDermott condemned the Government's oppressive measures in enforcing the Public. Safety Act. He said that powers of life and (Rath should not be handed to a few military officers unless there were grounds of overwhelming necessity. No crimes could be proved against the National Guard. Labor’s action in opposing t'he motion was contemptible and degrading. Mr Norton, the Labor loader, retorted that it was impossible to overlook the riiilitary character of the National Guard, whose salute was borrowed from llerr Hitler. General G’Dliffy’s speeches were those of a would-be dictator.

Mr Ruttledgc, Minister of Justice, said that the Government had not, attempted to interfere wit'll political movements, but would not tolerate semi-military movements. The Government was not going to allow civil war to develop. The Blue Shirt was a military emblem.

Dr. o'’Higgins interposed: “The Government sees red when it sees blue.” ALLEGATION DENIED The debate' flared' up when Mr Dc Y r alera interjected that. the Government had definite ' information that General Mulea'hy recently had conversations at Glasgow • with the British Minister of War.

General Muleahy indignantly demanded a tribunal to investigate the charge. Mr Do Valera rose and was greeted with Opposition uproar and shouts of: “Don’t wriggle; don’t be a coward.’’ Ilis voice was drowned in the pandemonium.

Finally Mr De Valera declared that he welcomed General Mnleahy’s statement, us the last thing ho wanted to hear was that the Government’s information was correct. He gladly agreed to a tribunal. Continuing, Mr De Valera emphasised ithat the enforcement of the Safety Act was inevitable in view of t'he condition of the country. The Government had tried a policy of 'patience. Dealing with the Irish Republican Army, lie said this was a movement built up in 'the past, but it was a different thing dealing with a recent movement like tho Army Comrades’ Association. Mr I)c Valera denied Mr Hogan’s charge that the Safety Act had been enforced at the behest of the I.R.A.

General Muleahy told the press that he had no conversations with Lord Hailsham. There was not a tittle of truth in Mr Dc Valera’s charge.

Lord Hailsham states that lie has not seen Mr Muleahy. Mr De Valera’s statement was totally unfounded.