THE IRISH FREE STATE.

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18600, 1 April 1932, Page 7

THE IRISH FREE STATE.

MR DE VALERA PERSUADED REPLY TONED DOWN. CANADA’S ATTITUDE INDICATED. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. copyrigM, LONDON, March 31. A message from Dublin says it is officially stated that the delay over the Irish Free State Government’s reply to the British Government’s Note regarding the oath of allegiance and land annuities is due-to the redrafting of the reply. It is understood that at least 'two members of the Free State Cabinet opposed the uncompromising nature of the original drafts, and suggested that the reply be couched in a more friendly tone. To this Mr De Valera agreed. NEW YORK, March 30. The Ottawa correspondent of the New York Times states that although the Canadian Government has not intimated to Mr De Valera that if the oath of allegiance is abolished the Irish Free State will not be invited to send a representative to the Empire Conference In July, It has unexpectedly Issued a White Paper elaborately setting forth the Free State’s obligations in respect to 'the oath and also the land annuities. The only apparent purpose of this, says the correspondent, is to prepare the publio mind for the contemplated should the Free State repudiate the oath. The prevailing attitude at Ottawa is that if the Free State repudiates its membership of the British Empire, it will have no place at i the council table at the' Empire Conference, and will not be permitted to be represented there if Canada’s protest avails. The correspondent adds that it is understood the British Government has consulted Canada and the other Dominions regarding the developments in the Free State. LATER. A CONTRADICTION. PREMIER’S EMPHATIC STATEMENT United Press Assn.—Elec. Tei, Copyright, (Received April 1, H. 15 a.m.) OTTAWA, March 31. In the House of Commons to-day, Mr R. B. Bennett, the Canadian Prime Minister, contradicted in emphatio terms, in order to repair “the injury done to this country," a despatch in the Toronto Star to the-effect that representatives of the Irish Free State ■might not be Invited .to the Ottawa Conference. “Only to-day,” the Premier said, “a cable has been received from the Minister of External Affairs for the Irish Free State, Mr De Valera, thanking the Dominion for Its hospitality and signifying agreement with the change of date.”