ANGLO – IRISH DISPUTE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19301, 30 September 1932, Page 9

ANGLO - IRISH DISPUTE

DE VALERA HOPES FOR SOLUTION WILL FREE STATE LEAVE EMPIRE? United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, Sept. 28. The United Press Association’s Geneva correspondent, in an exclusive interview with Mr Eamonn de Valera, President of the Irish Free State, says that Mr de Valera expressed surprise at the persistence of the belief in some quarters that any action taken by his Government would affect people of Irish birth and descent living in Australia and other Dominions. Though recognising the strong Irish sentiment in Australia, Mr de Valera insisted that they as Australian citizens could not possibly be affected by the policy of his Government any more than Irishborn people living in America or on the Continent. Referring to the Anglo-Irish dispute, he said he still hoped that a satisfactory solution would be found in order to remove the present discriminatory tariffs between Britain and Ireland. It was the policy of his Government to make the Free State more self-supporting. “If we 'go outside the British Commonwealth of Nations (Mr de Valera carefully avoided using the word “Empire”), we don’t pretend that Irish trade will become any easier, but as it is almost entirely with Britain, I cannot see the Dominions affected either way.” Mr de Valrea smiled and shook his head when asked about the development of the Government’s present policy.

“It is not for me to forecast the Free State’s intentions regarding departing from the Commonwealth of Nations, but we, as the Government, have obligations to our people, to whom we gave certain pledges, including the abolition of the oath of allegiance, and obtaining justice over the land annuities and other payments. Whether we go beyond those steps is for a future Government to decide.”

He said he had met foreign and Dominion statesmen at Geneva, including Mr W. M. Hughes, at the Canadian luncheon to-day, but his position as President of the League Council prevented his discussing internal affairs.

Discussing the League’s future, Mr de Valera said if it is to fulfil the functions it was meant to fulfil, the component States must be prepared to sacrifice some liberty of action enjoyed as independent sovereign States, in return for advantages, especially the security derivable from membership, but the advantages would be small if each member retained complete liberty of action. Members of the League cannot have it both ways.