IRISH FREE STATE POLLS YESTERDAY

Manawatu Times, Volume LII, Issue 3615, 16 September 1927, Page 7

IRISH FREE STATE POLLS YESTERDAY

Platform in Tabloid Issued by Cosgrave RESULTS NOT KNOWN FOR SOME DAY’S »By Electric Cable-Copyright.] Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received Thursday, 7.55 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 15. To-day citizens of the Free State chose 149 of the Dail Eireann from 260 candidates. The result, owing to the proportional representation system, will not tpl known for several days. Mr. W. T. Cosgrave, the president of the Executive Council, asks for a clear decision and a bigger poll. There ’are no signs thereof unless seeming indifference covers a _ grim determination to vote. •’ Cosgrave issued ten points on which he is prepared to meet his opponents with peace and reconciliation as follows : . (1) Voluntary submission to the will of the people. (2) The balancing of the National Budget. (3) A .single disciplined army, subject to the control of Parliament. (4) \An efficient police force. (5) The collection of all arms from persons unauthorised to possess them. (6) An independent Judici-ry. (7) Entrance tO' the Civil Service by merit. (8) No truce with crime of any description. (9) Peace, home and abroad. (10) The fulfilment of all pledges, V national and international. In reply to Mr. Eamon do Valera, the Republican leader, who argued that the Treaty had ( been accepted on the assumption that it was merely a steppingstone to. greater freedom, Mr. Ernest Blythe, Minister of Finance, said ; “ If I could turn the Free State into a republic to-morrow, I would not lift a finger to do it. We have all the powers and liberties required for the people of this country.”'. CONTRIBUTION TO POLITICAL FUNDS DENIED. (Received Thursday, 7.6 p.m.) i LONDON, Sept. 14. Lord Beaverbrook informed the London editor of the “ Irish independent ” that there is not a single word of truth in tho statement that he contributed directly or indirectly to Irish political funds. “A CONSTITUTIONALIST,” —NEW POSE TAKEN UP BY REPUBLICAN DE VALERA. LONDON, Sept. 14. In view of Archbishop Ua lx’s cables in commendation of Mr. de Valera’s earlier election policy special interest attaches to Mr. de Valera’s new guise as a Constitutionalist, especially his virtual abandonment of bis June declaration that Ulster must be punished for persisting In her independence. Tho most piquant incident in tho campaign is Mr. dc Valera’s answers to a scries of questions submitted by Professor E. P. Culverwell, of Dublin University. (1) Does punishing mean economic war 7 Mr, do Valera replies: ‘‘l really meant • that Free State citizens must look after their own interests.” (This is regarded as a veiled hint of tariff action.) Mr. de Valera added tha they had no power to force Ulster in, and there could not be war against Ulster, while England was backing her. Furthcrra -o, ho was more concerned with Irish interests than with English. Ho could not force English warships to quit Irish ports, but he did not consent to their occupation. On this point Professor Culverwell had asked would Mr. do Valera resort to force to expel the warships. Tho general impression is that Cosgrave’s chances are greatly improved, especially as the Farmers* Party has decreed that second preferences bo cas*- for the Cosgrave candidates. * Nominations for the forthcoming elections include 8S Labour, 68 Nation;?ist, 16 Country Party, and various Independents. Only one seat is uncontested. In fifty-four electorates there will be a straightout contest between Sinn Fein and others. Preferential will obtain.