TRADE WITH FREE STATE.

Wairarapa Age, 16 February 1935, Page 6

TRADE WITH FREE STATE.

ASSURANCE BY DOMINIONS SECRETARY. DESIRE TO BE UNITED. RUGBY, February 14. In the Irish Free State Dail last night, Mr. de Valera referred to the recent coal and cattle arrangements made between the United Kingdom and the Irish Free State, and indicated that he would welcome its extension. The Dominions Secretary, Mr. J. H. Thomas, at the Constitutional Club, London, to-day said that the British Government would also welcome an extension of an arrangement of such mutual advantage to both countries. “If this one economic barrier is broken down,”, he said, “how fervently we all hope it may lead to a permanent reconciliation.” He assured the Irish Free State that there was no hostility and no tittcrness, but a single-minded desire to be united. But the sanctity of agreements and membership of the British Commonwealth must always be .fundamental to any settlement of the Irish difficulty.—((British Official Wifeless). MOST VITAL FACT. RIGHT TO OWN DESTINY. DUBLIN, February 13. Mr. de Valera, in an interview, said: “Mr. Thomas’s statement brings back the position to 1932. I agree that it is no use blinking the facts. Accordingly I bring to Mr. Thomas’s notice the most vital fact that the history of 750 years has proved that the Irish will not for any consideration abandon their righ| to determine their own destiny, choose the political institution they desire, and judge the extent to which they will associate and co-oper-at« with other nations.”