There is an obvious amendment to this Section, to alter the date from 1924 to 1925.

I move that the date be altered from 1924 to 1925.

On sub-section (3) I desire to say that the only reason that makes me support this Bill at all is that it is a temporary one. I have the greatest reluctance in supporting any part of the Bill, but I see the difficulty that would arise if it was not passed. There will be great difficulty, I know, in pursuing this matter. I must say that the speech of Senator Gogarty would not make me feel in the least inclined to support the Bill. It was rather the opposite way, because he discussed various questions, one as to the claim of Ireland, or the Irish Free State, to battleships. The Senator ridiculed the idea that we had any claim to these things, but I maintain the contrary.

The Senator said we had.

He said we had theoretically, but not practically. I think the time will come when we will have to claim our share of the assets—battleships and everything in the Empire. I entirely repudiate the contrary argument. As I said, it is with the greatest reluctance I support the Bill, and I do so only because it is a temporary one.

Section 4, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Title ordered to stand part of the Bill.