IRISH ELECTION FINALS

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 30 January 1933, Page 5

IRISH ELECTION FINALS

Be Valera Faction Triumph LEAD OVER ALL PARTIES Gain Of Five Seats At Poll CENTRE AND LABOUR ADVANCES COSGRAVE GROUP LOSES NINE. (United Press Association—By Electric telegraph Copyright.) Received 11 a.m. to-day. LONDON, Jan. 29. The final state of the parties in the Irish Free State election is:— De Valera Party 77 Cosgrave Party 48 Independents 8 Centre Party 11 Labour Party 8 Independent Labour .... 1 The gains are: De Valera Party 6, Centre Party 6, Labour 2, Independent 1, Cosgrave Party 1. The losses are: De Valera Party 1, Labour Party 1, Centre Party 2, Independent 2, Cosgrave Party 10. The de Valera Party’s total of 77 including the Speaker, who exercises only a casting vote produces a virtual stalemate against all parties of 76 although Labour’s alliance gives a working, majority of 16, compared with four previously. Air E. de Valera, leader of the Government, in a message says: “Our national policy is now definitely determined. and 1 a.sk all citizens of goodwill to co-operate in restoring the country to its former greatness, a happy and worthy home of all om- people. The whole world will wish ns well.”

Mr de Valera is silent regarding his plans, but a large section of the community considers the election result justification for an immediate declaration of a republic. Another more'responsible section believes Air de Valera will adopt a cautious, attitude and treat the idea of a republic as subservient to other interests.

Air Denis (Jogan, president of tfie Dublin Chamber of Commerce, told the “Daily Telegraph” that the Free State’s trade with Britain decreased by £11,000.000 in the four months ended November 30. The Free State was also committed to an expensive policy of export bounties. Sir Lingard Colliding, governor of the Bank of Ireland, told the proprietors that the Free State Government’s bills were now £2,000,000, compared with £600,000 in 1931. Government and other securities increased bv £8,500,000. Unemplovment and destitution were now formidable. Sir Lingard earnestly hoped the public and private efforts for alleviation would be adequate. Referring to the demand that the link between the Free State pound and sterling should' be severed, Sir Lingard said it would be difficult to contemplate a step ’fraught with greater possibilities of disaster for the people of the Free State.

The Paris newspapers are surprised at Air de Valera’s success and the possibility of the establishment of a republic. Le Temps hopes that for the well-being of western Europe Air de Valera will .realise he can best serve the interests of the Irish nation by prudence and moderation calculated to safeguard the principle of British unity along with the Free existence of Ireland. Tile British and Ulster Governments will await Air do Valera’® declaration of policy with, patience, says the “Daily Telegraph.” Neither will be over-awed by the victory, for both can appraise its true value. Unquestionablv it makes a difference, hut it does not lighten the difficulties Which will soon crowd upon Air de Valera’s Government if it seeks to change the existing Anglo-Free State economic and political relations. Britain will demand to have its say and can say it with power. The “Irish Times,” in an editorial, says: “The outlook is grave. There rt.ro indications that Mr de Valera will still be in the bondage of the Labour Party, which will exact heavy toll folds favours and do nothing to check Mr de Valera’s Republican aspirations. The Ministers are beginning to talk of tn independent Ireland, and the economic war with England will continue. Mr de Valera, even if lie lacks an independent majority, will work fast, Irreparable mischief. Free Democracy must take the consequences.