IRISH FREE STATE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 72, 5 January 1933, Page 5

IRISH FREE STATE

DE VALERA'S TACTICS. AWKWARD FOR OPPOSITION. PLEA FOR NATIONAL OUTLOOK. (United Press Association—Copyright.) DUBLIN, January, 3. Mr de Valera's unexpected action placed the Opposition in an awkward position, as there is only a week before nominations.close, but it is noteworthy that the Free State Bank shares are very firm. Buying of Irish stocks reflected the optimism of the responsible classes regarding the outcome of tlie elections.

Mr Alfred Byrne, interviewed, said that a dissolution was clear proof of the panic on the Government's part. The pushing of the election was intended to prevent the formation of the National Government bub he was still hopeful that he would be able to induce the people to put the.interests of the country before any party advantages. It is generally expected that Mr de Valera will not ask the Free State electors for a definite mandate to leave the British Empire, but that he will propose considerable restriction of the powers of the Senate. The Labour Party is not helped by its association with the Fianria Fail, and may find difficulty in framing a programme. It is expected that Labour will return to the Dail with reduced strength. ;

OPPOSITION COMBINES DUBLIN, January 4. The executive of the Fianna Fail has decided to run 98 candidates and expects to have 80 returned. Mr de Valera will announce his programme at a meeting here on Thursdav. Mr MacDermott (leader of the Farmers .and Ratepayers' League) had a long interview with Mr Cosgrave. ;lt is understood that they agreed to combine their forces against Mr de Valera. Later Mr MacDermott said: "Our immediate object is to defeat the Government and its policy of breaking agreements and fostering class hatred. Our further object is to rescue agriculture and industry and banish animosities resembling civil-war." Mr W. Norton (Labour leader) states that the workers are tired of the. dissensions between the t\v*o main parties and are turning increasingly, toward the Labour Party;

DE VALERA HAD NO ALTERNATIVE. LONDON, January 4. < Tactically, Mr de Valera has no alternative to this sudden offensive, says ''The Times." His campaign may conceivably be successful as the Opposition parties have had no time to reach more than a general understanding. The outcome of the day will have an important bearing on the political future of Ireland. The defeat of Mr Cosgrave might give a great impetus to Republican separatism.

MR COISGRAVE'S ATTACK.

"WRATH OF THE PEOPLE."

LONDON, January 3

"The people of the Free State are now disillusioned," said Mr W. T. Cosgrave addressing a meeting of Deputies and Senators. "The Fianna Fail is on the run before the wrath of the people and the accumulation of its own follies," he continued." They are shirking their responsibilities and fleeing from the Republic." "We hope that the election will be conducted peaceably enabling a 'calm decision to be made," said Mr Cosgrave. Wc are more than ever convinced that the Treaty is our national need to secure economic salvation." Mr Cosgrave's manifesto pledges his party to maintain Irish rights, to strive to end the economic war and to make financial arrangements with England redounding to Ireland's honour and advancements. His policy will assure a- reduction of farmers' annuities and increased prices for their products, providing markets instead of bounties, fair play instead of writs and courage instead of suffering.