IRISH FREE STATE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 70, 22 February 1932, Page 7

IRISH FREE STATE

ELECTION RESULTS. FIANNA FAIL’S POLICY. STATEMENT BY MR DE VALERA. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received February 22, 10.0 a.m. LONDON, Feb. 21. The present state of the parties in the Irish elections is as follows: Fianna Fail 65 Government 50 Independents and Farmers ... 15 Labour and Independent Lab. 9 Mr Eamon do Valera said in an interview that he'could not see how the proposal to remove the oath of allegiance was likely to lead to difficulty with England. The oath was not obligatory in the treaty. The alternative to the removal of the oath was coercion, which had been tried for over a century, and had failed. Mr do Valera added: “We propose to govern by ordinary law and replace violence by peaceful efforts toward complete independence. We intend to withhold the land annuities. It is too early to say if the Free State will be represented at Ottawa, but we are prepared to negotiate trade agreements with England, with whom we desire to live peacefully.” The Observer suggests that a strong body of opinion in Ireland favours - a National Government similar to the British, with a neutral personage as President, and with only essential matters being placed before the Dail. But Mr de Valera is not likely to accept this course.

There is the possibility of Labour upholding the treaty and agreeing to no change except by friendly negotiations with Britain. It appears, therefore, on the figures that Mr W. T. Cosgrave, if he wishes, would have as good a chance of coming to an arrangement with Labour as Mr de Valera.

One factor that becomes increasingly important in view of the close contest is the attitude of the Roman Catholic authorities, who are anxious for a calm political atmosphere for the Eucharistic Congress in June. Messrs Morrissey and Anthony (Independent Labour) were ejected from the Labour Party because they supported the Government regarding the Public Safety Act. This will bring the number of Independents to seventeen, and all are expected to support Mr Cosgrave. Mrs may Reynolds, the widow of Mr Patrick Reynolds, the Government candidate who was shot dead at boxfield, in County Leitrim, has been adopted as candidate tor her husband’s former constituency. There are . thirteen candidates for seven seats in the Sligo-Leitrim division, in which the contests were postponed on account of the shooting. EARLIER MESSAGES. DUBLIN, Feb. 21. It is now clear that the Fianna Fail, though the largest party in the Dail Eireann, cannot obtain an absolute majority. If Mr Eamon De Valera forms a Government he must be dependent on the Labour Party, which declares that it will require him to shelve purely political and constitutional questions. The Daily Herald’s correspondent at Dublin says that the Labour Party, though its numbers are small, will hold the balance, but will remain independent of both big parties. The Republicans expect to be able to form a Government.

“It looks as if the Fianna Fail has won,” said Mr Cosgrave. “We shall at least form a very strong Opposition.” Mr de Valera said: “The Fianna Fail is in. 1 knew we would beat the Cosgraveites. it is a triumph for the Fianna Fail policy. The programme we intend to introduce will be substantially Labour; therefore, I expect support from the Labour Party. We shall adhere to our intention to abolish the oath'of allegiance.” The Fianna Fail expects to gain five seats in Sligo and Leitrim, where polling has been postponed until March’ 2. , Those elected in Kerry include Mr J. M. O’Sullivan Minister of Education, Mr F. Lynch, Minister of Lands and Fisheries. . . , The defeated in South Mayo include Mr O’Connell, the Labour leader. i Twenty-three results are outstanding, but there is now no prospect of the Government recovering.