The New York herald., 1922-11-26
IRISH CONSTITUTION
BILL FOLLOWS PACT
Measure Presented to British
Parliament includes
Treaty.

LONDON. Nov. 25 tAssociated Press).
The text OF the Irish Free State Con-
stitution bill. presented by Premier
Bonar Law to the British Parliament
yesterday sets forth that the Irish Par
lament is constituted In accordance
and is sitting as a constituent assembly,
having passed the Irish constituent act
embodying the Irish Constitution.
This Constitution. the bill states. Is to
be construed with reference to the Irish
treaty, which Is also embodied In the bill
as u schedule, and it is provided that IL
any provision of the Constitution is
repugnapt to the treaty II is In respect
to that repugnancy absolutely void and
ino erative. In that event the Irish
Parliament is to pass further legislation
necessary to fulfll the treaty.
The Irish Constitution Is to come into
being on its being proclaimed by the
King. but the King may at any time
after the proclamation appoint a Gov
ernor- General.
The establishment OF the Irish Free
State. It is stipulated. shall not affect
any liability to pay taxes or duties pay
able in respect TO the current or proceed
ing financial years.
The power of the Imperial Parliament
to legislate for the Free State In any
case where the Parliament would make
laws affecting NE others self governing
Dominions Is preserved.
The second bill presented by the
Prime Minister, making provisions con-
sequent upon the establishment of the
Irish Free State, sets up trust for
providing cottages for ex-service men in
Ireland.
North Ireland Provisions.
This bill modifles the existing Govern
ment of Ireland act. which Is to apply
only to northern Ireland. A Governor
Of northern Ireland Is TO be appointed
with salary OF $4,000 a year. Privy
Council and Great Seal are instituted
for northern Ireland. and the imperial
contribution of>that area js fixed at e.
$4,000 for the first two years. A joint
exchequer board win then determine the
amount OF the contribution.
The Irish High Court OF Appeals
ceases to exist under this bill. and the
Irish Lord Chancelorship is abolished,
while a court Of appeals for northern
Ireland Is established by the act.
The first schedule concains eighty
three articles 1t is declared that the
national language in the Free State shall
he Irish with English given equal recog-
milton as an official tongue.
The legislature will consist OF the
King and two houses, Chamber OF
Deputies and a Senate, known generally
as the Oireachtas. All citizens twenty
one years OF age have the right to vote
for members OF the Chamber, while ali
citizens thirty years of age may vote
for, the Senate.
oath OF Ofrcnchtas Members.
The oaths TO be taken by members
of the Olreachtas is as follows:
"I, --, do solemnly swear true
fa'th a-d ara~ance to the constitution
O, the Irish Free State as by law estalo-
lished and that will be faithful to his
Majesty King George ". his heirs and
s.ucessors by law, In virtue OF the COM
mon citizenship OF Ireland with Great
Britain and her adherence to and MEM
bership in the group OF nations foi ming
the British commonwealth of nations
The Chamber (Dail Eireann) shall
'o~' '~.'ve authority and money
bills exclusive OF the Senate (Seanad
Eireann).
The Oireachtas may provide for the
initiation by the people of laws and
constitutional amendment.
Except In case of actual invasion the
Irish Free State shall not be committed
to active participation in war.
Other sections OF this scueuuIe deal
with the executive authority. the ap-
pcintment of Ministers and their vari-