From, Our Own, Correspondent THE IRISH GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN RE-FORMED, NOT QUITE ON THE LINES OF MR DE VALERA'S STATEMENT 'WHICH I CITED LAST WEEK. mu RUTTLEDGE LEAVES JUSTICE FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT, AND IS REPLACED BY MR GERALD BOLAND, WHOSE OFFICE OF LANDS, TOGETHER WITH POSTS, IS TAKEN OVER BY MR O'DEIRG.
The Ministers affected resigned their Seals to President Hyde, and by him were invested in their new offices.
IMMEDIATE ACTION The newly-constituted Government lost no time in asserting its war-time measures. Standstill orders were issued, preventing the rise of prices in most commodities. Attempts to raise prices were reversed. Bacon and flour, as well as feeding stuffs for animals, are considerably cheaper than before war began, thanks to Government action.
This will be no Profiteers' War for Ireland: the Just Price will be asserted by rulers who are devoted to Christian social principles.
The Volunteers have been called to the colours, and will be increased greatly In numbers by a recruiting drive; there Is a hint of conscription in the Press, but this is unauthorised.
The black-out over the coastal region is complete—the aerial inspection has found public co-operation so thorough that some relaxation is announced in public lighting, which can be extinguished instantaneously in time of need. Our people appreciate that it is necessary to darken Dublin, despite neutrality, lest an illuminated Irish coast should serve as a landmark.
GERMANY'S MINISTER The position of the German Minister In Dublin was discussed in the Stormont Parliament, where a Member alleged that the Minister's presence in Ireland was used to transmit to Germany news of the Northern air raid precautions.
The view held by the Irish Government was sought by Press inquiries, and an official reply was issued, saying that the Irish Government was too busy to pay attention to the matter.
A further problem of neutrality has risen through the position of Dr. Kiernan, late director of broadcasting. who was appointed to the Irish Embassy in Berlin before war began. Dr. Kiernan has not received his credentials, and cannot take up office until it is decided whether they shall be given by the Trish Government direct, instead of by the British Crown on the advice of that Government.