IRISH POLITICS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 213, 23 August 1927, Page 5

IRISH POLITICS

FIANNA FAIL’S FIRST MOVE REMOVAL OF THE OATH. MR. DE VALERA’S STATEMENT. [By Cable — Press Assn. — Copyright.) (Received 23, 10.10 a,m.) London, Aug. 22. “The Fianna Fail’s first immediate objective is to remove the oath,” said Mr. de Valera, speaking at Dublin. “It is a barrier keeping Irishmen divided. If we get into power the oath will go without delay and with it political tests whereby employment in the public service is made a perquisite of a party.” Mr. de Valera said he had the written opinions of four senior counsel that the oath was not obligatory. It was only being retained for party purposes. Whatever Lord Birkenhead might desire he did not believe the Englishmen wanted to keep Ireland in turmoil or in the shadow of civil war by striving to exact an allegiance that no large body of the Irish would render (Sydney “Sun” cable.) COALITION WILL COME. IF GOVERNMENT LOSES BYELECTION. (Received 23, 9.15 a.m.) London, Aug. 22. “The Times’ ” Dublin correspondent says that if the Government loses either of the two by-elections it will be in a minority of one in Dail, and Mr. Cosgrave, having convened Parliament, will be forced to resign with or without the aid of Mr. Jinks’s elusive vote, in which event the projected Labour and National League alliance may come into power, because Mr. Johnson, being strongly opposed to an election .and with a majority of one in Dail, would attempt to carry on until the Budget is delivered.—(“Times” cable.)