IRISH LAND ANNUITIES

Taranaki Daily News, 6 August 1932, Page 7

IRISH LAND ANNUITIES

BRITAIN’S STANDING OFFER ONE OBSTACLE REMAINING <*—— MR. DE VALERA’S DESOLVE DRAMATIC DEBATE IN DAIL British Wireless. Rugby, July 4. Referring to the Irish land annuities dispute the Attorney-General, Sir Thomas Ins'kip, said the strength of the case for the British Government was felt to be overwhelming and it had the support of six of the most eminent lawyers in the Irish Free State, including the Attorney-General of Mr. Cosgrave’s Government. The British Government offered to submit its case to arbitration. It stood by its offer. There had been all along only one obstacle, and that was Mr. do Valera’s inexplicable resolve not to agree to a tribunal wholly drawn from the Empire. “Let it be clearly understood,” said Sir Thomas, “that the Government is ready to arbitrate at once before an Empire tribunal. Failing arbitration it is willing to negotiate either as things now are or on undertakings to complete the restoration of the position as it was before Mr. de Valera impounded the annuities. There is no question of pride or wounded feelings on our part; it is a question of commonsense. Talk without some prospect of finality is futile, and Mr. de Valera offers no finality. “Sooner or later, with much loss and suffering, the countries will have to reconcile their fiscal differences. Why cannot Mr. de Valera recognise that at oneje? There is, however, one bright omen. The Irish Free State delegates at Ottawa have given no countenance to the idea that they do not recognise their allegiance to the Crown. If they could impart the spirit of Ottawa to their colleagues peaceful and profitable relations between Britain and Ireland would soon be restored,” concluded Sir Thomas.

“VEILED THREATS BY 1.R.A.” £2,000,000 EMERGENCY FUND. PRESIDENT DECLINES TO EXPLAIN By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. ' London, Aug. .4. Mr. de Valera declined in the Dail to indication of how the emergency fund of £2,000,000 provided for in the supplementary estimates would be used and whence the money was coming. He declared that it was impossible to estimate definitely what sums were' necessary, because the Executive was seeking sufficient to meet any demands the struggle with Britain will necessitate while the Dail was adjourned. Mr. Cosgrave,. the ex-Piresident; declared that agriculture, Ireland's leading industry, was crippled and £2,000,000 would not compensate for such a loss.It was the beginning of Socialism and the price Mr. de Valera was paying for the support of Labour. Mr. ©’Sullivan asserted that the Government had not a mandate for an economic war with England. Professor Hayes, referring to the Republican Army, said there had been thinly-veiled threats against the representatives of the people. The history of Ireland must 'be remembered and in view of the atmosphere the threats were most serious. “Wo have been dubbed traitors,” he said, “and what is a traitor’s punishment? It is death.” When Professor Hayes sat down the House was strangely silent. The Dail adjourned before the debate concluded. Mr. de Valera will probably announce a date after which the arbitration offer will be withdrawn and the annuities in the suspense account diverted to the emergency fund. When Mr. Connolly declared that it ' was significant that the British received the "dea of reprisals from Mr. Blythe (Minister in the Cosgrave Cabinet), Professor Hayes heatedly exclaimed: “It is felon setting” (Irish expression meaning informing).- “Mr. Connolly knows that armed men are outside his house who may not be under his control though they are his friends. If he declares that Mr. Blythe is playing the British game it is pointing him out to his men for assassination.” Uproar followed, members shouting at each other. Mr. Fitzgerald alleged that the Government was acting in conjunction with the Irish Republican Army, and added: “We are prepared to submit while it governs according to rule and law, but we will resist if it goes beyond it. Unless the Government suppresses the criminal organisation with which it is association local chaos and demoralisation of the nation will follow.”