THE FREE STATE

Southland Times, Issue 21831, 7 October 1932, Page 7

THE FREE STATE

DISPUTE WITH BRITAIN NEGOTIATIONS BEING RESUMED NEW DEVELOPMENT (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, October 5. The following communique, signed by Mr J. H. Thomas and Mr de Valera, was issued this afternoon: “A meeting took place this morning between representatives of the Governments of the United Kingdom and the Irish Free State. Mr Thomas, Mr Neville Chamberlain, Lord Hailsham and Sir John Simon were present representing the Government of the United Kingdom, while the Irish Free State representatives were Mr de Valera and the Free State AttorneyGeneral, Mr Conor Maguire. It was agreed to adopt the suggestion previously made that the question that had arisen concerning the Irish land annuities be made the subject of negotiations between the two governments. In the course of the conversation attention was called to the fact that other sums formerly paid to the United Kingdom were being withheld b’- the Irish Free State. It was agreed that the negotiations should cover these sums also and that discussions should be commenced between the members of both governments in London, if possible on October 14.” As indicated in the communique the conference was concerned with the financial side of the dispute between the two governments and the withholding by the Free State of the instalments of certain periodical payments to Britain, which in a full year total about £5,000,000 of which about £3,000,000 relates to annuities. x Mr de Valera left London this evening for the purpose of returning to Dublin by the night boat. To-day’s meeting between the representatives of the Irish Free State and the British Government arose out of a communication addressed by Mr de Valera while he was in Geneva to Mr Thomas.

The position on the land annuities question as it was left on the breakdown of the July negotiations was that the British Government proposed arbitration by an Empire tribunal, and pending an agreement as to arbitration was ready to negotiate either on the basis of the existing situation or on the basis of restoration of the position before the dispute. Under the first condition negotiations could proceed with the Free State continuing to withhold the annuities and the British Government continuing to maintain its tariff on Irish goods. By the second condition they could proceed if the annuities were paid with the British Government responding by the withdrawal of the tariffs. Mr de Valera would not accept any of these conditions and in consequence the negotiations came to an end. To-day was the first time Sir John Simon participated in the Anglo-Irish negotiations. NEGOTIATIONS FIRST DUTIES NOT BEING SUSPENDED. (Rec. 7.25 p.m.) London, October 6. Mr de Valera declined to make a statement, but Mr Thomas, who was pressed by journalists, stated that the Customs duties would remain in force until negotiations were completed, adding: “This is definite.” The conference last July broke down over Mr de Valera’s demand that the British duties be removed before negotiations were begun. Mr de Valera has revised his view. Dublin is elated at the news of a renewal of negotiations. Mr W. T. Cosgrave says he always advocated a settlement by negotiations, and he hopes they will be successful. ONLY INITIAL STEP STATEMENT BY MR DE VALERA. (Rec. 12.15 a.m.) London, October 6. “This is only the initial step. I will not prophesy the result,” said Mr de Valera on his arrival at Dublin at dawn. He added: “A continuation of the duties is not the best atmosphere for negotiations, but we are prepared to try. Britain yesterday offered to remove the duties if the annuities were paid, but I was not prepared to do that. Our remaining in the Commonwealth of Nations is not an issue in the negotiations.” The Manchester Guardian says that undoubtedly Sir John Simon is entitled to the credit of breaking the Anglo-Irish deadlock as a result of conversations with Mr de Valera at Geneva, though perhaps the plight of Irish farmers was partly responsible.