IRISH DISPUTE

Southland Times, Issue 22296, 11 April 1934, Page 7

IRISH DISPUTE

BRITAIN’S ATTITUDE PREPARED TO RESUME DISCUSSIONS SETTLEMENT DESIRED (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) London, April 9. In the House of Commons, Mr J. H. Thomas, in reply to a question, said the Government was willing to resume discussions with the Irish Free State with a view to the settlement of all outstanding questions, but there must first be acceptance of the basis of discussions. Britain had made every effort to secure an impartial discussion of the dispute, but the Free State had not accepted. Mr D. G. Logan: Is it beyond the realms of possibility to agree on a tribunal? Mr Thomas: Land annuities are unfortunately only part of the dispute. There is still the treaty for which many Irishmen would give their lives and which we desire to see observed. Mr T. C. R. Moore: Has Mr de Valera given any indication of a desire to reopen the discussions? Mr Thomas: None whatever. CRISIS APPROACHING LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) Dublin, April 9. Apparently events in the Irish Free State are moving towards a crisis. Mr de Valera, after many postponements, has decided finally to hold the local government elections on June 26, enabling the testing of the electorate, as they are polled on the register’ of ratepayers, excluding large numbers of the Government’s youthful supporters and therefore an accurate index of the more responsible sections of the community. The Cosgraveite organization is definitely challenging Mr de Valera’s intention to capture the local authorities for party purposes.