Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, AUGUST 13th., 1927. IRISH POLITICS

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 August 1927, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, AUGUST 13th., 1927. IRISH POLITICS

The taking of the oath of allegiance to the King by Mr. de Valera and other Irish republicans, will be regarded by many as the end of the extremists’ cause. Explanations “to save their face” may be given by the Fianna Fail, that the declaration of loyalty does not imply contractual obligation, but is merely, an empty political formula, which deputies can conscientiously sign, without involving obligation of loyalty to the Eng lish Crown.” Equivocation never helped any cause permanently, and falsehood to oaths voluntarily undertaken, would he the weakest foundation on which to rest a movement designed to make I reland a republic, respected by other nations. Without such respect, nn land can prosper. The plain fact is that Mr. de Valera and his associates have the commonsense to realise that the great majority of the. Irish people have no desire to secede from the Empire,—that would be the. first /fruits of the establishment of an Irish republic. —and wisely they are making the best of what is, to ;them, a bad job. ' :;. : ' < At the recent general elections, Fianna Fail won 44 seats, against

the Government’s 46. Other parties won 62, including Labour 22, and thus these hold the balance of power. The success of Fianna Fail exceeded expectation. It was obtained partly by the fact, that the election was fought on a new register, which enfranchised large numbers of young men and women whose political wisdom was exceeded by their enthusiasm for lost causes, and partly that Fianna Fail had an excellent organisation, while that of the Government left much to be desired. To these factors must be added the normal forces that work against any Government that has been in power for four years. Large numbers of voters supported Fianna Fail on the definite understanding that the Republicans would take their seats in the Dail, and the last thing that any of Mr. de Valera’s followers desire is another appeal to the country. Mr. de Valera and his followers are to be commended for no longer disenfranchising their constituencies, for that was the practical effect whilst the elected Members did not attend Parliament. They are now free to use every constitutional means to uphold their political opinions, and can assist Ireland and the Irish if they refrain from a disruptive policy. It is generally agreed that a majority in the Dail Eireann are in favour of the treaty with Britain being honourably observed, and if Fianna Fail supporters make the treaty a test question, the Government should have the majority. On other questions, Mr. Cosgrave’s Ministry may be in danger of defeat. The real fight is likely to be over the Public Safety bill, which gives the authorities somewhat drastic powers over malcontents. Inspired by the cowardly murder of Mr. K. O’Higgins—a crime still unpunished,:— this bill has aroused strong opposition even among Irish loyalists, who are perturbed about the assumption of dictatorial powers by the Government. The fat&rfif the bill is not really a matter of im portance, and its withdrawal or postponement would be a wise move on the Government’s part. Prophecies are always dangerous where Irish politics are concerned, but there seems to be reasonable expectation that after the preliminary verbal fireworks, Air. de Valera and his friends wi’.l settle down, and gradually amalgamate with other elements in the Dail, until the time comes when all serious thoughts of an Irish republic have disappeared. The alternative would be a policy of obstruction, which would sicken the country, and be the means of the Fianna Fail losing many seats at the next general election. The former anti-British cries have lost much of their force, and there is a general desire to have Parliamen tary business conducted on lines calculated to enrich Ireland by developing her primary and secondary industries. Wailing for a republic will do nothing to assist in this direction, and if Mr. de Valera wishes to gain office, he will have to prove that he is fitted for such responsibility. He has taken the. first step on a new path, and now he has the opportunity of working for Ireland, instead of against her real welfare. If he rejects on the misery and suffering xis policy has cost Ireland, he must realise that it is quite time he gave xer something in recompense.