THE NEW IRELAND

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 55, Issue 3939, 13 August 1937, Page 7

THE NEW IRELAND

FREE STATE CONSTITUTION. The most remarkable feature of the new Irish Free State Constitution is the preamble, which runs: In the Name of the Most Holy Trinity, from Whom is all authority and to Whom, as our final end, all actions both of men and States must be referred, We, the people of Eire, Humbly acknowledging all our obligations to our Divine Lord, Jesus Christ, Who sustained our fathers through centuries of trial, gratefully remembering their heroic and unremitting struggle to regain the rightful independence of our Nation, and seeking to promote the common gooa, with due observance of Prudence, Justice and Charity, so that the dignity and freedom of the individual maybe assured, true soci-l order attained, the unity of our country restored, and concord established with other nations, do hereby adopt, enact, and give to ourselves this Constitution. The new Constitution is for the whole of Ireland, its islands and the territorial seas. The fact that the country is partitioned is recognised, and, “pending (the reintegration of the national territory,” the area over which the Parliament and Government will exercise jurisdiction Will be the same as that of the present Free State.

“Another remarkable fact is that it contains no reference directly to the King, to the country’s relations with Great Britain, or to the Commonwealth of Nations.

“Certain new titles are introduced. In addition to the President or head of the State, there will be a Taoiseach (or Prime Minister), a Tanaiste (or Deputy Prime Minister) and a Council of State.

“The powers of the President include the summoning and dissolving of the Oireachtas, the signing of Bills and the exercise of clemency in regard to the mitigation of sentences. It is noted, however, that by law to be subsequently passed, these duties and powers may be increased.

“Another Senate is to be constituted instead of the one abolished last year. This will be comprised of the same number of members as the former one —namely, 60. The mode of election will be different —eleven nominated and the other forty-nine elected on a special system. The Universities, which have lost their representation in the Dail, will receive representation in the Senate —three seats each. The power of the new body to delay legislation will be three months.

“The State recognises the family as the natural unit group of society, and guarantees to protect the family i.r its constitution and authority, and pledges itself to guard with spec.al care the institution of marriage. No law shall be passed providing for the dissolution of marriage.

“The right of private ownership in property is recognised, and there will be no law to attempt to abolish the right to transfer, bequeath and inherit property. These should, however, he regulated by the principles of social justice.”