POLITICAL MIRACLE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 19 August 1927, Page 5

POLITICAL MIRACLE.

SAVED TBTSH GOVERNMENT. WHY MR. JINKS DTD NOT VOTE. BY CABLE—PBESS ASSOCIATION— COPYRIGHT. LONDON, Aug. 17. Mr. Jinks, the missing Redmondite whose vote may have carried the noconfidence motion, has gained more publicity than any other man or any happening in the British Isles to-day. He has been the subject of editorials, street corner comment, Government discussions, laughter, applause and abuse. 'Hordes of reporters were on his trail all day. He was variously reported as having been dramatically kidnapped, oi as having mysteriously vanished or been spirited away. One newspaper went the length of asserting he was preoccupied at a .Dublin hotel where the. best brands of Irish whisky are stocked.

Speculation was at its height when lie was observed walking unconcernedly towards the Dail. When he had extricated himself from the mob, excited inquiries put to rest all doubts as to his part as the savious of the Government of South Ireland.

There was no blarney about Air. Jinks. He simply said: “I left the Dail last night without voting in order te save the Government. Mv constituents do not favour a coalition and they nrgod me to support the Government. My party pressed iu£ to vote against the Government. I listened to the debate and decided the present GoVernment was the best for Ireland at present; so 1 walked out, and that is all.”

The National League Party has decided to expel Air. Jinks. The Dublin correspondent of “The Times” says only a political miracle saved the Government. It is the general opinion that Mr. Cosgravc is likely to be safe for at least two months. Air. O’Connell, a Labour member, returns shortly from America, which will place Mr. Cosgravc in a minority, unless Air. Jinks turns positively pro-Govern-ment.

On the other hgnd, if the two pending bv-elections should result in a victory for the Government they would provide Air. Cosgravc with a majority and the opportunity for announcing a dissolution. But it must be remembered that a large section of the puMic. including even followers of Air. Cosgravc, dislike the rigours of the Public Safety Act. Air. .Cosgrave would be well advised to rely to the utmost on common law. If he did so the Government might obtain a clear majority at the general elections, because the country is startled at the prospect of a Johnson-Rcdmond coalition completely at Air. De Valera s mo rev. . ..

The “Morning Post” editorially states: “Air. Jinks should constitute himself a separate party, for while lie lias some qualities as a leader, it is quite evident he is unlikely to lie a good follower.” The “Daily Telegraph” says: “The sooner Air. Cosgrave appeals to the countrv the better.”