THE Australian Government has decided not to proceed with the appointment of Mr. Paul McGuire as Australian Ambassador in Dublin.
Mr. McGuire, apart from his diplomatic position, is a well-known Catholic figure in his native country, in Britain and in America.
He is part-author (with Fr. J. Fitzsimons) of the book on Catholic Action "Restoring All Things," and he was the first Master of the Catholic Guild for Social Studies in South Australia.
Mr. Casey, Australian Minister for External Affairs, has explained that it has proved impossible to agree between Australia and Ireland on the form of the new ambassador's letters of credence.
Dr. Evatt, Leader of the Federal Opposition, has blamed the Australian Government for "refusing to permit the Irish President, who is Head of State in his own country, to be described in accordance with the only style and title which he is entitled to hear and does bear under the law and usage of his own country."
Diplomatic howler
The Australian Government contends that the title "The President of Ireland" would be likely to cause offence to the Queen. Stating that the Queen stands outside all politics, Dr. Evatt has called the whole affair "a diplomatic howler of the first magni
t u Asked by THE CATHOLIC HF.RAID .''
to comment on the affair, Mr. McGuire said: "I have no comment whatsoever to make. It is an argument between Governments."
He is at present in London, having reached here a few weeks ago after serving as one of the three Australian delegates to the United Nations Assembly.
Australia will he represented in Dublin by a charge d'affaires.