IRISH FREE STATE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 208, 17 August 1927, Page 5

IRISH FREE STATE

VOTE OF CENSURE MOVED ENTRY OF THE FAIL. NEW RECRUITS TO CONSTITUTIONALISM. (British Official Wireless), (Received 17, 11-31 a.m.) Rugby, Aug. 16. Intense interest is being displayed in to-day meeting of the Irish I‘ree State Dail in Dublin, in view of the political situation that has arisen. The public galleries were crowded long before the proceedings opened. The Labour Leader, Mr- Johnson, in moving the vote of censure, said it was intended to test the views of the House whether the Executive should continue in office. It had previously been said that there was no alternative Government, but since the entry into the Dail of the 43 deputies who had hitherto abstained, that could no longer be said. A Labour member seconded the motion.

Mr. Cosgrave, President of the Executive Council, said that the good of the country would alone determine his attitude, and to achieve this he would not withhold his support from a coalition government. Captain Redmond, Leader of the National League Party, welcomed tie Fianna Fail members as new recruits to constitutionalism. He said his party would vote for the motion, knowing that if it resulted in no confidence in the present Government. an alternative Government could possibly be formed which would provide firm and impartial administration.

It is expected the debate will be continued to-morrow.

(Earlier messages in connection with the above appear on page 6.J

CENSURE MOTION DEFEATED. (Received 17,11.10 a.m.) London, Aug. 16. A no-confidence motion in Dail was defeated by 72 votes to 71 on the casting vote of the Speaker.—(A. and N.Z.) MOMENTOUS MEETING. MR JOHNSON’S CHALLENGE. London, August 16. The most momentous meeting <>l the Dail Eireann since the treaty de bates in 1921 opened when Mr Johnson, Labour leader, challenged the Cosgrave Ministry. Members attended in large numbers, and during the forenoon gathered in liitle groups in the lobbies The whole city was very excited. Parties of Sinn Fein women assembled outside the building carrying Union Jacks, on which was inscribed “This is not the Union Jack but only an empty formula.” The public galleries were crowded an hour before the sitting opened. De Valeraites sat opposite the Government, and Mr Johnson and other Labourites occupied the cross benches facing the Speaker. There were only two questions on the notice paper and these were quickly answered Mr Johnson then rose to move “that the Executive Council had ceased to retain .the confidence of the majority of the Dail.” He said the motion was frankly intended to test the views of the House upon the continuance of Mr Cosgrave's administration. He declared the Government had failed in its social and industrial programme. There was poverty, distress, and suffering which could have been relieved if the Government had made the most of its opportunities and been more sympathetic in its administration of existing laws. The confidence which Mr Cosgrave enioved after election had been diminished through the passage of the Public Safety Electoral Amendment and Constitution Amendment Acts, all being measures not calculated to lead to good government or peace. It was previously claimed that no alternative government was available; this w”s no longer true since 43 de Valeraites had entered the House. - CAPT. REDMOND’S SPEECH. Captain Redmond asserted that the British Government never passed such an extreme and drastic measure as the Public Safety Act, in which Mr. Cosgrave swept away the constitution in order to preserve it. He described the Government as “poachers turned gamekeepers,” yet, when Mr. de Valera showed signs of following in their footsteps, Mr Cosgrave used every threat and device to prevent it. There was no reason why Mr de Valera should not be as good a gamekeeper as Mr Cosgrave. “The National League is wedded to tbe fundamentals of Irish settlement,” said Captain Redmond. “Though we admit Mr de Valera’s right to try to induce the country to abrogate it. we will resist that attempt to the utmost. We have received guarantees that they will not attempt to carry out the contentious parts of any party’s programme, therefore we have decided to support the motion.” SPEAKER’S CASTING VOTE. The division resulted in a tie, 71 to 71, and the Speaker gave his casting vote in favour of the Government. One National League follower abstained from voting. Dail adjourned until October 11.— (A. and N.Z-) NEED OF REST FROM TURMOIL. Mr Johnson continued, saying that this created a new situation which should be welcomed. The country needed rest from turmoil and it need ed government) exeluding from office for a time either of the parties over which there had been such fierce opposition. It needed party reconstruction, resettlement devoted only to national settlement, peace, order and good government, which the pafties outside the bitter feud between the Administration and Fianna Fail could best supply. MR COSGRAVE’S REPLY. Mr Cosgrave, replying asked acre secret agreements part of LnbonrM policy’ The public were ennitled to

know the terms under which a Coalition was to be forffed. “We have had an example of Mr Johnson, this man of goodwill 1 When England was In’ the throes of the general strike, Mr Johnson telegraphed offering to help the strikers. Mr Cosgrave said the people of Ireland were expecting some constructive, sensible, action and appreciation of responsibility by Dail. Mr Johnson’s motion did not offer any solution. The Government’s policy was a balanced Budget, reduction of taxation, development of Ireland's resources and one army. CONSTRUCTION EFFORT NEEDED. Mr Cosgrave asked. Did the proposed Coalitionists intend to tolerate a rival army! The country needed a constructive effort, and Mr Johnson offered none. Mr Cosgrave concluded in one of the fiercest speeches of his earrer; “I wonder If the assassins of Mr O'Higgins will feel easier tonight If the motion Is carried.” FARMERS’ PARTY OPPOSES MOTION. Mr. Baxter, of the Farmers’ party, opposing the motion in the Dail, insisted that there was no alternative to the present Government. He suggested a five-year combination of the Cosgravians and Fianna Failites to carry on, in order to let the country settle down. Details of the voting are: For the motion. Labour 21. Fianna Fan National League 6, Independent 1 Against: Cumann Nagaedhall 49. Independents 14. Fanners fl. Nonparty 1. A Redmondite, John Jinks, was absent. Mr. Cosgrave announced that if the two impending elections due to the deaths of Mr. O'Higgins and the Countess Markievicz resulted against the Government the Sneaker would call a further meeting to review the situation.—(A. and N.Z.)