ANXIOUS DAYS IN FREE STATE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19667, 8 December 1933, Page 9

ANXIOUS DAYS IN FREE STATE

HOPES FOR EARLY AGREEMENT LIFE AND DEATH ISSUE IN IRELAND United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received December 7, 8.50 p.m.) LONDON, December 7. The Dublin correspondent of "The Times” says: "The Free State restlessly awaits the outcome of the AngloIrish Notes, as It Is a problem of life and death for Ireland, owing to dwindling trade, and penal tariffs which have reduced the farmers to penury.

BREACH OF TREATY RIGHTS FREE STATES POLICY DISCUSSED British Official Wireless RUGBY, December 8. The Irish question was raised In the House of Lords by Lord Danesfort, who asked what action was to be taken to protect the undoubted rights of British subjects to appeal to the Privy Council. He declared that recent Irish Free State legislation forbidding such an appeal was a breach of the Treaty. Lord Carson, who is in poor nealth, and now rarely attends the House of Lords, received a sympathetic hearing. He said the oath had gone. Other promised safeguards had been abolished from time to time. Now the last remaining safeguard—appeal to the Privy Council —had gone. He urged the Government to reconsider the whole question. British Policy Outlined. Lord Hailsham, replying on behalf of the Government, said the debate had been rendered important by the intervention of Lord Carson, to whom he paid a warm tribute. It was an unenviable position for any member of the Government to reply to criticisms which he could only say were undoubtedly justified with regard to a series of actions which he could make no attempt to defend. The Government consistently had taken the view that under the terms ol what was called the Irish Treaty, it was not competent for the Free State Government without the repudiation of honourable obligations and disregard for-the terms to which it had set its signature unilaterally, to abrogate the right of petition for special leave to appeal to his Majesty in Privy Council. There had been a long series of legal decisions which laid it down that the right of a subject to petition his Majesty for special leave to appeal could not be taken away by enactment by the legislature of any Dominion without the express authority of the Imperial Statute. As the validity and effect of the Free State statute might be raised for judicial determination by the Privy Council, it would be improper for him to suggest that he had even an opinion about it. In the absence of a decision to the contrary, the Government did not propose to recognise the action taken in the breach of treaty rights. He believed there were In the Free State a very large number of people all of Irish honour, and anxious to see the obligations undertaken by them observed. The British Government profoundly regretted any divergence of opinion between the Government of the Free State and their own, of any of the interests of the two countries. The interests of both could best be served by the closest association.

ATTITUDE OF FREE STATE MR DE VALERA QUESTIONED United Pres, Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright PARIS, December 6. Replying to a direct question asked by the special correspondent of “Le Petit Parisien” as to what would Ireland do if given a chance of independence, Mr de Valera, after reflecting long, said: "We have to negotiate with Britain on the problems raised by separation, and also have a general election. Let Britain recognise our right to liberty, and there will be nothing but harmony and peace between us." REACTION IN DUBLIN CORRESPONDENCE CAUSES DISAPPOINTMENT United Pres* Association—Bv Electric Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, December 6. A special message from Dublin to •The Sydney Sun Service” states that everyone is most disappointed that the de Valera-Thomas correspondence has not advanced a settlement, which it is felt Is long overdue. Continuance of uncertainty can only result In bankruptcy and chaos. It is considered that Mr dc Valera must shortly face the electors on the Republican issue in order to retain power. MR DE VALERA’S DECISION. PREPARING REPLY TO MR THOMAS. United Preas Avioclntlon —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received December 8. 12.17 a m.) LONDON, December 7. It Is reported from Dublin that Mr De Valera is preparing a new Note for Air Thomas.