ELECTORS TO DECIDE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 16 September 1927, Page 5

ELECTORS TO DECIDE

ISSUES IN FREE STATE. MR. COSGRAVE’S TEN POINTS OFFER TO HIS OPPONENTS. BY OA BT.F—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT LONDON, Sept. 16. To-dav the citizens of the Irish Free State t boose 149 members of the Dail from 2GO candidates, hut the result, owing to the proportional representation system will -not be known for several days. Mr. Cosgrave asks for a clear decision and a. bigger poll. There are no signs thereof unless the seeming indifference covers a grim determination to lote.

' Mr. Cosgrave has issued ten points on which he is prepared to meet his opponents with peace and reconciliation, as follow; Voluntary submission to the will of the people Balancing of the national Budget. A single disciplined army subject to the control of Parliament. An ellicient police force. The collection of all arms from persons unauthorised to possess them. An independent judiciary. Entrance to the Civil Service by merit only. No truce with crime of any description. Peace at home and abroad. Tlie fulfilment of all pledges, national and international. In reply ,to Mr. De Valera, who argued that the treaty was accepted on the assumption that it was- merely a stepping stone to greater freedom. Mr. Blithe said: "If I could turn the Free State into a republic to-morrow 1 would not- lift- a finger to do it. We have all the powers and liberties required for the people of this country.” Lord Beaverbrook has informed the London editor of the ‘‘lrish Independent” that- there is not a single word of truth in the statement that lie has contributed directly or indirectly to the Irish political funds. It was previously hinted that Mr. Cosgrave was being supported financii 1. ° b.- the British Imperialists.

MR. COSGRAVE’S FI NAT. APPEAL. LONDON, Sept. 14. Mr. Cosgrave, in liis final address e.ore the elections, reminds electors that on their vote depends not omy the life, honour and prosperity ol the Free State, but also individual security a-nd comfort. Those who were misguided enough to support his opponents were condemning the country’ at best to helpless uncertainty, and at worst to anarchy and confusion for years to come.