GOVERNMENT'S FATE

Evening Star, Issue 19637, 17 August 1927, Page 8

GOVERNMENT'S FATE

DEBATE IN DAIL CENSURE MOTION LAUNCHED (British Oflieial News.) Tress Association—By Wireless—Copyright. RUGBY, August IG. (Received August 17, at 11 a.m.) Intense interest was displayed in today’s meeting of the Dail in Dublin in view of the political situation that has arisen. Tho public galleries were crowded long before tho proceedings opened. The Labor Loader (Mr Johnson), in moving the vote of censure, said it was intended to test the views of the House on the question of whether the executive should continue in otlicc. It had previously been said that there was no alternative to the Government, but since the entry into the Dail of lortythrcc deputies who had hitherto abstained that could no longer bo said. .A Labor member having seconded the motion, Mr Cosgrave (President of the. Executive Council) said that the good of tho country would alone determine his attitude, and to achieve this ho would not withhold ids support from a Coalition Government.

Captain Redmond (Leader of tho National League Parin’) welcomed the Fiauua Fail members as new recruits to constitutionalism. He said that his party would vole for tho motion, knowing that if it resulted in no confidence in the present Government an alternative Government could possibly be formed which would provide a, firm and impartial Administ ratio n. It is expected that tho debate will be continued to-morrow.

LABOR LEADERS OH THE ATTACK MR GCSGRAVE'S VIGOROUS REPLY LONDON, August IG. (deceived August 17, at 1 p.m.) The most momentous meeting of the Dail Eircauu since the treaty debates in 1921 opened when Mr Johnson challenged the Cosgravc Ministry. The members attended in largo numbers, and during the forenoon gathered in little groups in the lobbies. The whole of the city was very excited. Parties of Sinn Fein women assembled outside the building carrying Union Jacks bearing the inscription: “This is not the Union Jack, but only an empty formula.” The public galleries were crowded an hour before the sitting opened. The Do Valcraites sat opposite the Government, and Mr Johnson and the other Laborites occupied the cross benches facing the Speaker. Only two questions were on the notice paper, and these were quickly answered. Mr Johnson then rose to move that the Executive Council had ceased to retain tho confidence of a majority of tho Dail. He said his motion was frankly intended to test tho views of the House upon tho, continuance of tho Cosgravc Administration. Ho declared that the Government had failed in its social and industrial programme- There were poverty, distress, and suffering which could have been relieved if the Government had made the most of its opportunities, and had been more sympathetic in its administration of tho existing laws. The confidence which Mr Cosgrave enjoyed after tho election had been diminished through the passage of the Public Safety, Electoral Amendment, and Constitutional Amendment Acts. None of these measures was calculated to lead to good government or peace. It was previously claimed that mi alternative government was available. This was no longer true since the forty-thico Dc Valeraites had entered the House. Mr Johnson slated that this created a new situation which should be welcomed. The country needed a rest Irom turmoil, and it needed a Government which excluded from office for a time either of the parties over which there had been such fierce opposition. "What was wanted was a Government devoted only to a national settlement and peace, order, and good government, which the parties outside the hitter feud between the Administration and the hianna hail could best supply.

Mr Cosgrave, replying, asked; Were secret agreements a part of Labor fi policy? The public was entitled to know the terms under which a coalition was to be formed. “We have had an example ol the policy of Mr Johnson. This man of goodwill, when 'England was in the throes of the general strike, telegraphed offering to help the strikers.”

Mr Cosgrave said that the people of Ireland wore expecting some constructive, sensible action and appreciation of responsibility by the Dail. Mr Johnson's motion did not oiler any solution. The Government's policy was a balanced Budget, reduction of taxation, development of Ireland’s resources, and ono army. Mr Cosgrave asked; Did the proposed Coalitionists intend to tolerate a rival army? The country needed constructive effort. Mr Johnson offered none. Mr Cosgrave concluded in one of the fiercest spcccligs ol his career: “1 wonder if the assassins of Mr O’Higgins Will feel easier to-night if the motion s carried?”