NATIONAL CHARACTER

Waipa Post, Volume 44, Issue 3183, 28 May 1932, Page 7

NATIONAL CHARACTER

“ The most important thing,” writes M, J. L. Garvin in the Observer, “ for a young nation to build up is character. The infancy of the Free State has been watched with generosity by its neighbour. Its pathway has been smoothed by a lenient reading of its obligations. The incidence of the Treaty has been lightened by British forbearance, and a blind eye has been turned to what it would not have been difficult to resent as infractions.

“ The hope underlying all this consideration has been that there would gradually develop on Ireland’s behalf a genuine self-respected and moral solvency. In externals the Free State has been very jealous of * status.’ It has made great play with its formal insignia and with its position in the League of Nations. But those things are but the shell of nationality. They are of small account if the kernel

be unsound. “A sound nation is one for which no moral allowances require to be made. It has been the hope of Ireland’s friends to see her attain that position—as it has been the ambition of all decent elements in herself. Mr

de Valera’s intimation repudiates that fair prospect; it warns all who have dealings with her that a ‘ gentleman’s agreement ’ is not within her competence.”