CONTEMPT OF COURT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18208, 2 October 1933, Page 5

CONTEMPT OF COURT

DE VALERA’S CONDUCT K.C.’S ALLEGATIONS . * MILITARY TRIBUNAL TRIAL (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press (Received October 2, 11 a.m.) LONDON, October 1. ‘‘Mr. De Valera is guilty of grave^contempt of court,” declared , Mr. Lavery/ K.C., defending Oronin Belton, a member of the Dail, and two other prominent, persons before the military tribunal on a charge in connection .with the auction of cattle seized owing to a farmer's;non-, payment of'rates'. *

Mr. La very, referring to nine Waterford farmers who will be cited.before thetribunal on a charge of conspiracy - for tile non-payment' of ratbs'.a'nd intimidation. said Mr. De Valera,,had prejudiced the ease when, - speaking at iDgndalkJim. September 10, he characterised Mr. -Macdermott’s anti rate campaign.as'an’ illegal conspiracy in which fanners',were intiini-' dated into refusal 1o pay fates, while others were boycotted and Vtheirfnamescirculated to the owners of threshing; machiiffls. . '-.

Mr. hayery said - the High Court, Would in such a case call upon Mr. De'Valera; to answer for alleged contempt. - The president, of-the tfibutial expressed.' the opinion .that there was -nb imih&diate urgency regarding 'the.,'mutter',Ua4a^proceeded with' the trial.

‘‘l have listened to many debates, but never to a more dishonest one than that, on the DaiFs censure debate. It was disgraceful and insincere,” declared Mr. De Valera at Balagbaderren. “You' would think our opponents had never heard of the conspiracy to break, up. local government by the non-payment of rates.. Some members of the Opposition used their Parliamentary position to prejudicecases before the court.' “We are living in difficult times, and want to discipline anyone interfering with discipline. The - United Party isthe enemy of the people. Our opponents' are attempting to dishearten -the people,hoping that we will be beaten, but we are not going to be beaten.” Referring to the economic war, Mr. Re’. Valera said he had never seen,the slightest suggestion that Britain would listen to reason and justice.