BLUE SHIRT BAN.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 940, 9 December 1933, Page 1

BLUE SHIRT BAN.

Organisation Proscribed in Ireland. FREE STATE DECISION'. United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received December 9, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, December S. The Irish Free State Government has banned the Blue Shirts, the organisation which is led by General O’Duffy. The United Ireland Party officially states: “ The banning of the Blue Shirts is a monstrous illegality and evidence of political persecution. It is almost incredible that the Government is so bilnded by political hatred as to ban a body whose every activity is honest, while it has allowed every variety of Communist activity throughout the country.” IRELAND’S FUTURE. Dominions Unlikely to be Consulted. (Received December 9. 11.55 a.m.) LONDON, December 8. It is understood that any suggestion of calling the Dominions into consultation on the question of the Irish Free State’s future relations with the remainder of the Empire for the present may be disregarded. The British Government is likely to adopt this course only as a last resort, while most of the Dominions will probably be reluctant to embroil themselves with Ireland until it is absolutely necessary to deal with her future if it is to be outside the Empire. DOOR NOT CLOSED. Mr Thomas’s Offer of Lasting Peace. British Official Wireless. 'Received December 9, 1.5 p.m.) RUGBY, December 8. In a speech at Retford Mr J. H. Thomas referred t*> relations with the Irish Free State. He said that longrange speaking would not effect a settlement of this unfortunate dispute. Mr M’Entee, speaking as a responsible Free State Minister, had recently said that the Irish people wanted co-operation. “ We. too. want friendly co-operation,” said Mr Thomas. “If I were tempted to make a warning it would be such that the Irish Free State people would realise how this economic strife is gradually accustoming the people of this country to present conditions, and there is a very real danger of permanent markets being lost. People become accustomed to changed circumstances and adapt themselves accordingly. I am not unmindful that that can be as truly said about the Irish Free State with regard to our trade, but surely these facts of themselves show the danger of prolonging this dispute. Trade, commerce, trade unionism and, yes. national honour all are involved in the principle of the sanctity of agreements. That is simple, and I ask Mr de Valera to believe me when T say that the British Government have not. and will not, close the door to an honourable and lasting peace which recognises this fundamental principle.”