OATH QUESTION

Southland Times, Issue 21662, 26 March 1932, Page 5

OATH QUESTION

STIR IN BRITAIN

REASON FOR FREE STATE’S OBJECTION MR THOMAS VISITS THE KING (Vnltl.d Proas Assn.—By Tolegraph-Copyrlght.) London, March 23. The Dublin correspondent of The Tinies says that Mr de Valera bases his oath policy on the contention that the treaty clause prescribing the form of the words to be used by members of the Irish Free State Parliament does not make the taking of any oath obligatory, whereas the corresponding article in the Constitution does. As regards the land annuities, he says that certain lawyers have advised him that the British Government had no legal right to them. He contends that the Government of Ireland Act, 1920, allowed the Northern Government to retain land annuities and that the Irish Free State has an equal right to retention. Furthermore, he alleges that the ultimate financial agreement of 1926 between the British and Free State Governments was never ratified and therefore has no legal force. Mr J. .H. Thomas, Secretary for the Dominions, speift an hour this morning with the King, presumably concerning the Irish situation aad then returned to Downing Street. Cabinet is considering Mr de Valera’s attitude.

In the House of Commons, Mr Thomas said that the Government was sending a communication to the Free State Government making clear beyond the possibility of doubt Britain’s viewpoint of the oath question. The Free State’s failure to pay land annuities would be a manifest violation of the agreement which was binding in law, and honour whatever administration might be in power in the Irish Free State. Despite Mr de Valera's denial, Mr E. J. Duggan, Parliamentary Secretary to the former Executive Council, reiterated that the oath embodied in the treaty is the oath dictated by Mr de Valera in Dublin and ns presented by the Irish Free State in London recognizing the. King as head of the Associated States. FREE STATE’S AIM REPUDIATION OF BARGAINS. STATEMENT IN COMMONS. (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Rugby, March 23. The newspapers state that Cabinet considered the terms of the reply made in Parliament by Mr J. H. Thomas to a question relating to. a communication received yesterday from the Free State Government. Answering the question Mr Thomas said: “I was olticiaJJy informed yesterday by the High Commissioner for the Irish Free State that in the opinion of his Government the oath of allegiance was not mandatory in the treaty, and that the Irish Free State has the absolute right to modify the Constitution as the people desire. It is manifest that the oath is an integral part of the treaty made ten years ago between the two countries and hitherto honourably observed by both sides. We are addressing to his Majesty’s Government in the Irish Free State a communication which will makeoui standpoint clear beyond the possibility of doubt. With regard to land annuities, we have received no official communication from the Irish Free State Government, but from a statement reported to have been made yesterday by Mr do Valera in the Free State Senate, we understand the Free State Government proposes to retain Irish land annuities. These annuities are payments which tenants of purchased estates make in order to repay sums lent to them to buy their land. The Irish Free State Government is bound by the most formal and explicit undertaking to continue to pay land annuities to the National Debt Commissioners, and failure to do so would be a manifest violation of the engagement, which is binding in law and in honour on tho Irish Free State, whatever Administration may be in power, in exactly tho same way Sis the treaty itself is binding on both countries.”

Answering further questions Mr Thomas said the terms of the reply to the Irish Free State would be published at an appropriate moment. Replying to Mr G. Buchanan (Labour) Mr Thomas said the annuities were a bargain between the two peoples. “We intend that agreement to stand,” he said. Mr Buchanan: Is that a declaration of war? (General protests and interruption, Mr Buchanan repeatedly shouting: “It is a declaration of war.”) Mr J. Maxton (Labour) urged that, the House should have the opportunity before, not after, a final policy was decided upon. “We are negotiating for a revision of treaties and a reduction of debts with almost every country,” ho said. “Won’t the Irish people be treated at least as well as foreigners?” Mr Thomas said the Free State wanted to repudiate a bargain, but the British Government regarded it as onlv to be altered by the consent of both sides. The House thus could have no doubt where the Government stood. Mr D. Kirkwood (Labour): Sheer war. PRESIDENT’S POSITION YET TO SECURE MAJORITY. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) London, March 24. The Australian Press Association says that nothing startling is expected in connection with the Irish Free State’s demands at present. The next move rdests with Mr de Valera. Many communications will probably pass between Dublin and London. It is emphasized at Westminster that it has yet to be discovered whether Mr de Valera will secure a majority for the abolition of the oath. The result must be uncertain until the Dail Eireann resumes on April 20. All depends on the attitude of the Labour Party. Even if the Bill passed the Dail its rejection is almost certain in the Senate, where Mr Cosgrave still has a majority. In this event the Bill will be suspended for 270 days, when it automatically becomes law. BRITAIN’S NOTE FREE STATE DISCUSSES REPLY. (Rec. 11.50 p.m.) Dublin, March 25. Mr de Valera presided at a meeting of Cabinet which discussed Britain’s note. It is understood Cabinet’s reply will assert Hnd that the oath as contained in the treaty has not been referred to by Mr de Valera, who maintains that he is only dealing with the oath in the Constitution which Mr Cosgrave framed. Cabinet will stress that Northern Ireland was allowed to retain land annuities, and that the Free State is also entitled to retain its portion. INTEREST IN FRANCE PARIS PRESS COMMENT. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Paris, March 24. The French Press attaches great import ance to the Irish situation. Figaro, declaring that the treaty cannot be renounced in a one-sided manner, asks whether Mr do. Valera intends to condemn the Free State to isolation. This would ruin the Bill Parliament passed authorizing a Government loan to the Compagnie Generale Transatlantique of £556,000 to complete the construction of a giant liner and other vessels.