ELECTION IN IRELAND

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 68, 19 February 1932, Page 7

ELECTION IN IRELAND

REPUBLICANS LEADING. STATE OF THE PARTIES, LATEST RETURNS. (United Press Association.—By Electri# Telegraph.r—Copyright.) Received February 19, 9.0 a.m. DUBLIN, Feb. 18. The present state of the parties in connection with the Irish Free State election is as follows:

PRESIDENT’S INCREASED VOTE.

Received February 19, 11.0 a.m. DUBLIN, Feb. 18. The heavy polling is delaying the counting. Mr Dan Bren. the • Republican veteran, has been elected for Tipperary. Mr Cosgrave has increased ins vote by 1000. Mr de Valera has dropped 1400.

RETURNING OFFICERS’ TASK,

LONDON, Feb. 17. Heavy polling having marked the Irish Free State elections, the results nre coming to hand slowly as the returning officers are faced with a formidable task. So far Mr Eamon de Valera is in the lead, though it is thought that the final figures will not record a sound working majority for either the Republicans or the Government.

President Cosgrave and Mr de Valera have both been re-elected. Mr William Redmond was re-elected for Waterford.

Among others elected are Mr Sean Lemass, Mr de Valera’s lieutenant, Mr Richard Mulcahy, Minister of Local Government, Mr Desmond Fitzfrald, Minister of Defence, and Mr Blythe, Minister of Finance. Because of the record poll, the counting of tho votes is likely to extend over three days. Some constituencies polled up to 90 per cent. The increase in County Dublin, a well-to-do constituency, is _ aiding the Treaty supporters. Proportional representation is hampering the counting, but it is clear that the contests are close everywhere. The earliest results were based on the first preference figures. Tho Government need 23 seats to assure a working majority, and for this it must now depend on the Labour vote. Labour opposes the Treaty repudiation move, but generally approves of Mr de Valera’s economic policy. Mr de Valera, if he secures office, is not likely to have a majority, and must accept Labour’s terms. Tho opening of the Dail has been postponed until March 9 in order _ to complete the Leitrim and Sligo election, necessitated bv the shooting of Mr Patrick Reynolds.

Government 17 Republicans 23 Independents .■ 6 Labour 2