IRISH REPUBLIC

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 288, 6 December 1933, Page 7

IRISH REPUBLIC

BRITISH ATTITUDE PROTECTION OF LOYALISTS DEFAULT IN ANNUITIES [ British Official Wirel%t>*. J RUGBY, Dec. 4. It is understood trim. Cauiuet has approved the reply tu the Note recently received uy Mr. J. H. Thomas iroiu Mr. de Valera. The Note asked for a statement regarding thc British Government’s a.utude towards the declaration of an Irish Republic, the terms ot the reply to be disclosed in both Houses of Furliameut to-morrow. The House uf Commons statement will be made in reply to a question, and in the House ui nurds the subject will be raised by Lord Diancstorth, who will ask whether in view of Mr. de Valera's recent demand that the British Government should acquiesce iu the declaration ul a republic, thc Government will undertake that they will not tolerate any interference with the status of Irish loyalists. Questioned in the House of Commons whether thc duties now imposed in products from thc Irish Free State entering Britain were sufficient to make good, the loss suffered by the British taxpayer by reason of the default of the Irish Free State on the land annuities, Mr. Thomas said that up to April 1, 1933, the total deiauK amounted to £4,744,000. For the period April 1 to November 30, 1933, the sum of £2,579,000 was still owing. The total amount collected in duties from thc imports from the Irish Free State up to April 1 was £2,518,000. From that date to November 25 £3,054,000 had been collected in duties. Replying to a supplementary question, Mr. Thomas explained in regard to thc outstanding deficiency of about £2,000,000 that thc British Government did not impose the import duties for many months after the default first arose, hoping and believing that thc Irish Free State would meet its obligations.

Addressing the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, the Irish Free State Finance Minister said that it was the earnest desire of thc Free State Government that the relations between the peoples of Ireland and Great Britain, who had a community of interests, should be amicable and cordial.

DE VALERA’S LATEST NOTE MORE INFORMATION SOUGHT. DUBLIN, Dee. 4. Mr. do Valera’s latest Note asks for further information on certain of Mr. Thomas’ statements, made last month, notably whether the Free State has liberty to choose between the British Commonwealth and a Republic without a threat of British aggressive hostility.

It is believed that when ho receives a reply Mr. do Valera will immediately dissolve tho Dail and go to the country with tho definite Issue of Republic or Free State.

BRITISH TARIFFS

ALTERATIONS APPROVED Received Dec, 5, 7.42 p.m. LONDON, Dec. 5. In the House of Commons, Major Hore-Bclisha moved for the approval of various alterations in British tariffs on Free State products, notably a reduction of the duty on live sheep and lambs from 12 to 10 shillings each. He pointed out that ,t had been the tendency to transfer the live animal trade into the meat trade. It was proposed to raise the duties on meat to te same level as live animals. The motion was approved by 137 votes to 35.