THE OATH

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19920, 16 August 1927, Page 7

THE OATH

LOYALTY TO THE KING Earl of Birkenhead Discusses Irish Situation TREATY PROBLEMS (By Telegraph—Per Press Assn.—Copyright.) (A. & N.Z.) LONDON, Aug. 14. Interviewed' by the Daily Mail regarding the Irish situation, the Earl of Birkenhead said:— “The problem is one primarily for solution by the common sense of the people and legislators of Southern Ireland. The principal value of the Treaty is that Irish problems should be solved by Irishmen for Irishmen. It is all to the good that the De Valeraites have decided! to sit in the Dail. “A much more important matter is Captain Redmond’s expression of hope that the British Government might be disposed to consider and perhaps accept, a modification of the oath. In my colleagues’ absence I speak only for myself, but I say explicitly that I hold to the drafted and existing formula and I would; never have signed the Treaty if it had not contained this clause. , ”1 am confident that none of my fellow negotiators would have signed it if there had been no agreement on this point. Nothing in the world would induce me to whittle it down or allow’ the substance to be impaired. It is necessary also to make another matter plain. The oath is framed in consonance with the whole Imperial conception under which a number of self-governing communities profess and accept loyalty to the monarch.” REDMOND HOLDS THE KEY POWER OF THE NATIONALISTS. ALL PARTIES NEGOTIATING. Received Aug. 15, 9 p.m. (The Times) DUBLIN, Aug. 15. All sorts of negotiations are proceed ing behind the scenes and whether there will be a new Government entirely hinges on the attitude of the National League. Captain Redmond is prepared to help the Labourites and Fail to put out the Government, but insists on earmarking certain Ministries for members of his party in the new Executive Council.

Mr. Johnson, the Labour leader, obstinately refuses to commit himself to any advance arrangement.