THE PRIVY COUNCIL

Southland Times, Issue 20949, 5 December 1929, Page 5

THE PRIVY COUNCIL

FREE STATE’S ATTITUDE DISCUSSION IN HOUSE OF LORDS “YIELDING TO BLACKMAIL” (United Press Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright.) (Rec. 7.30 p.m.) London, December 4. In the House of Lords, Lord Danesfort, called attention to a speech by Mr E. Blythe, Free State Minister of Finance, in the Dail Eireann on the subject of Irish appeals to the Privy Council and Mr MacDonald’s attitude thereto, which he declared evasive and unsatisfactory. Lord Carson said that whenever an issue with the Free State had arisen Britain always yielded to blackmail. “Why should you always pat the back and almost lick the boots of people who are always insulting you, your King and even treaties?" asked Lord Carson. “This has nothing to do with my hostility towards the Free State; all that has gone and is buried.”. Lord Parmoor replied that the Government Intended to hold to the report of the Imperial Conference of 1926. This would guide them at the next conference. It was a serious thing to assume that the Free State was guilty of illegality. Lord Reading said that if Mr Blythe meant that appeals to the Privy Council would be made ineffective, it would be a breach of honour. Lord Passfield, Secretary for the Dominions, said he was not disposed to say the Free State was capable of not adhering to a treaty or contractual obligations. The discussion was then dropped.