IRISH DEVELOPMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18458, 23 July 1923, Page 6

IRISH DEVELOPMENTS.

It can be accepted as. an indica,tion of increased tranquility and a more complete rule of law in Ireland, that the Dail should have decided on a general election, to be held before September. Why the decision should be the product of a secret session is difficult to understand. That it was, illustrates a contention which has been advanced independently by several commentators on Irish affairs recently. It has been declared by critics that while the Free State is accepted, beyond reversal, by an overwhelming majority of the Irish people, the Free' State Government has had the actual support : and co-operation of very few. It is explained by them that the Irish people, long accustomed to regard the presence and actions of a governing authority as evidence of alien control, have not been able to transform their innate attitude toward the law and the fountain of law at a moment's notice. The instinct of self-govern-ment has been lacking in them. It has also been a matter of complaint that the Government has done little to cultivate such a feeling. One commentator insists that the only way to build up a real regard for, and appreciation of, representative institutions, is for the Government to be more than usually open in all its doings: that full . explanations should be given for everything done. The holding of too many secret sessions has been condemned. The inaccessibility of Ministers has been noted with regret. It has had to bo admitted that until just recently the Ministers were living in a state of virtual siege, with the threat of death hanging- over them. It was no idle threat either, as they all knew full well In those circumstances, the courage with which they remained at their posts, and the unyielding front they- showed to the. forces of disruption and anarchy, will stand to their abiding credit. The remoteness of those governing from those governed was no doubt unavoidable in a large degree. The need for secret meetings. and for invisible Ministers, with the unfortunate effect of these methods on public opinion, should be passing. Accepting. the view of sympathetic critics, that the machinery of government must be" made fully visible to the people, as something springing from themselves, and belonging to themselves, it must be hoped that the method of secret conclave will soon be abandoned. The education, of the people in selfgovernment as an / independent entity should begin as soon as possible, since it is necessary that elections should be approached with a full appreciation of their import and of the issues involved.