IRISH FREE STATE.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18804, 28 November 1932, Page 7

IRISH FREE STATE.

NEW GOVERNOR-GENERAL.

SURPRISE APPOINTMENT.

RETIRED SHOPKEEPER.

United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright DUBLIN, Nov. 26. Mr. Daniel Buckley, a shopkeeper, formerly a member of the Bail, has been appointed , Governor-General of the Irish Free State in succession to Mr. James McNeill. A communique states that His Majesty appointed Mr. Buckley on the advice of the Free State Executhe. The appointment has caused tremendous . surprise. However, Mr Buckley Is esteemed by all classes or the people. Recently he retired and transferred his shop to his son. The new Governor-General is closely interested In national movements, especially the revival of the Irish language. He took part in the rebellion of 1916, when he organised a small Red band of volunteers and marched to Dublin. He was arrested and deported, but was released under the Christmas amnesty. Mr. Buckley was elected deputy for Kildare, voted against the acceptance of the Anglo-Irish treaty and was defeated at the 1923 and 1931 elections.

LATER.

A “ DIE HARD ” IRISH SPEAKER. CLOSE FRIEND OF MR DE VALERA SWEARS ALLEGIANCE TO KING. United Press Assn. — Elec. Tel._ Copyright. (Received Nov. 28, 11.35 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 27. Mr Buckley’s name was announced in Dublin in Irish as “ Donal Ua Buachalla.” The announcement in London gave the English .version Donal Buckley. The new Governor-General kept three establishments —a grocery shop, a bicycle store, and an inn at Maynooth. He is aged 55 and was. educated at a Jesuit school in Dublin. He is known as a " Die-hard (Irish ” speaker, always using the Irish language in preference to English. He is a close friend of Mr De Valera, the president, and also the friend of Mr Patrick Pearce, the leader of the rebellion in 1916, whose school his son attended. Mr Buckley to-day took the oath of allegiance to the King, the Chief Justice administering the oath. His commission has been signed by His Majesty and it was sent to the Free State by post—a course which is without precedent. The new Governor-General has not decided whether he will occupy the Vice-Regal lodge. He will receive a salary of £IO,OOO a year.