INDIA AND . . . . . . . . . COMMONWEALTH 369
- I reproduce the following parts of the Document for easy reference as well to give an idea of what Mr. De Valera meant by an Associate State:
“States of Ireland
- That, the legislative, executive, and judicial authority of Ireland shall be derived solely from the people of Ireland.
Terms of Association
That, for purposes of common concern, Ireland shall be associated with States of the British Commonwealth, viz : The Kingdom of Great Britain, the Dominion of Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, the Dominion of New Zealand, and the Union of South Africa.
That, when acting as an associate the rights, status and privileges of Ireland shall be in no respect less than those enjoyed by any of the component States of the British Commonwealth.
That, the matters of “common concern” shall include Defence, Peace and War, Political Treaties, and all matters now treated as of common concern amongst the States of the British Commonwealth, and that in these matters there shall be “between Ireland and the States of the British Commonwealth” such concerted action founded on consultation as the several Governments may determine.
That, in virtue of this association of Ireland with the States of the British Commonwealth, citizen of Ireland in any of these States shall not be subject to any disabilities which a citizen of one of the component States of the British Commonwealth would not be subject to, and reciprocally for citizens of these States in Ireland.
That, for purposes of the Association, Ireland shall recognise His Britannic Majesty as head of the Association.”
Here is a new way of establishing a link with the Commonwealth. Paragaphs 6, 5 and 4 call for a scrutiny :