IRISH POLITICS

Hokitika Guardian, 5 January 1933, Page 5

IRISH POLITICS

COSGRAVE’S VIEW

“FREE STATERS DISILLUSIONED”

(United Press A jsociation—By Electric (telegraph— Copyright.)

LONDON, January 4,

(Mr Cosgrave told a meeting of 'Senators and Deputies : “Fianna Fail is on the run before the people’s wrath and itis own accumulated follies. They are shirking all responsibilities, a nd fleeing from the Republic. Free Staters are now disillusioned. We hope the election will be conducted peacefully, enabling a calm decision. Wfe are more than ever convinced th e Treaty i s . our national need to secure economic salvation.”

Mr Cosgrave, in a manifesto, pledgee his Party to maintain Irish rights j and strive to end economic war ; make financial arrangements with England, redounding to Ireland’s honour and (advancement, assure th e reduction of farmers’ annuities and increased prices for products, provide markets instead of bounties, fai r play instead of writs, and courage instead of suffering.

'.Mr ipoisgrate told the newspapermen that, although his Party was taken by surprise, machinery for fight* log the election wag juet as strong and efficient ns a. year ago.

It is generally expected that Mr de .Valera will not ask the State electors for a definite mandate to leave sth© British Empire, 'bjit will propose considerable restriction on the powers of the Senate".

Mr de 'Valera’s unexpected action placed the Opposition in an awkward position, as there is only a week before the nominations, but it was noteworthy that the Free State Bank shares were very £rm. Th e . buying of Irish stocks reflected the optimism by responsible classes regarding th e . outcome of the. elections. The 'Labour Party is not helped by its association with Fianna Fall, .and may find difficulty in framing a programme. It is expected that the Lahour return to the Dail-wUI b e reduced in strength.

GOVERNMENT IN PANIC

ALDERMAN BYRNE’S OPINION

RUGBY, January 3

■Alderman Byrne, Lord (Mayor of Dublin, who is the Independent: Member of the Dail for the city division of Dublin, has issued a statement describing the dissolution as a - panicky move, with a view to taking . other part Vis by surprise, and^ J him from materialising his plan for the organisation of a party embracing all the proprietary parties. He declared emphatically that, notwithstanding the abort tim e before the election, he wag going on with his plans for a National Party committee.

Mayor Bryne, in an interview, said the dissolution wag a clear proof of panic on the Government’s part. The rushed election wag. intended to prevent the formation of a National Govern, ment. He was still hopeful he would he able to induce people to put the interests of the country before any party advantages.

MUCH DEPENDS ON OUTCOME.

(Received .10.40- a.m.) LONDON, January 4

'“Tactically, Mr de Valera has no alternative to this sudden offensive,” says the “Times.” “Hi s campaign may .conceivably be successful. The Opposition parties had no time to Sreach more than a general understanding. The outcome of the day will have an important bearing on the political futuie of Ireland. The defeat of Mr Cosgrave might give a great impetus to Republican separation.”

OPPOSITION FOR DE VALERA.

AIM TO DEFEAT GOVERNMENT.

(Received 10.45 a.m.j DUBLIN, January 4. The executive of the Fianna Fail have decided to run ninety-eight candidates and expect that eighty will be 1 returned. Mr de Valera is announcing the programme at a meeting here on Thursday. Mr MacDermott, loader of the Farmers’ and Ratepayers’ League, returned from Paris and had a long interview with Mr Cosgrove. It is understood that the leaders have agreed to combine forces against Mr de Valera. Mr MacDermott.later said: “Our immediate object is the defeat of the Government, as its policy of breaking agreements is fostering class hatreds. Our further object is to rescue the agriculture industry, and banish animosities resembling civil war. Mr Norton states that the workers are tired of the dissensions between the two main parties.