FREE STATE POLITICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19549, 31 January 1927, Page 12

FREE STATE POLITICS.

GENERAL ELECTION PENDING, COMPULSORY JRiSH AN ISSUE. Reviewing tho political situatioa in the Irish Free State,, tho Dublin correspondent of the Times reported that all parties arc preparing for the general election, which, under tho Constitution, rnnst be held next year. Die date has not yet been fixed, br/t it is certain that writs will not be issued before Easter, and tho common belief is thid the election will be held in June or July. The Government Psr'y® is active throughout the country, and a campaign is likely to be started early in the new year, when leading members of the Government will tour the constituencies. The Labour Party also is very active.. Since last July between j.30 arid ISO local organisations have been instituted in support at Labour candidates, and the party hopes to 'be able to put at least 50 strong men in the field.*. , The National League, oncer the leadership of Captain William" Redmond and Mr. Thomas o'Donne!i (formerly a member of the Irish Nationalist Party in the House of Commons}, is making considerable progress. It has made opposition to compulsory Irish an imptset&Rt plank i'ix its fiolitsal platform, &zd or. this accossnt alone it is widezpteaA support- I'lie party organisers are confident that they will be able to retura si least SO m-rnbtn to tho r.-nt Bail. Se far tittle iaaj been Hone by the Farmers' Party, which suffers through lack c? funds; bat Mr. de YaWa's group. Fiamns Fail, is working, hard and said to fee hojpsfal Its most formidable rival is tr,e People's J Party, headed by Sir. Magennls., of ifee National which, although it proffcsses r«pobliean principles, has no ob-f-ctioa to aUeaeiancs in ibe National Parliament, Mis* Ifarjr McSwiae/'g small party of irreeecctlafefo Republicans seems to have agist into three mytor group; it is virtually neg%ibift sj fir as t,no election i* conmnm,' nwi is badly in want of fundi. The Government P§riy seecas to be in a fairly stye®2 posit?an, bat high taxation and the Gorsmmrat'iipolicy of cornlarity.