ELECTION IN FREE STATE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19727, 29 August 1927, Page 9

ELECTION IN FREE STATE.

BITTER FEELING AROUSED

DISSOLUTION A BOMBSHELL.

PEACE OR WAR THE ISSUE.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Eeceived August 28, 5.10 p.m.) A. and N.Z. LONDON, Aug. 27. The writs have already been received 'or most of the constituencies in connection with the general election in the Irish Free State. Indications are that it will be a very speedy and probably a most bitter settlement of the fate of the country. The newly-elected members at the two by-elections for Dublin County and South Dublin, Mr. Gerald O'Sullivan and Dr. Hennessy, were members of the Dail for the brief time of two hours and four hours each respectively. This is the second general election in four months, and the campaign will be compressed into the 12 days between September 3 and 15. There is a clear issue between the Government and Fianna Fail. The latter party is still equipped with a little of the money which Mr. de Valera raised in America, but the other Opposition parties are very poor. For this reason it is expected that the Labour Party will concentrate on an attempt to hold its present seats. The Government will probably nominate 100 candidates and Fianna Fail '9O for the 152 vacant seats. The large increase in the number of Government votes at the by-elections seemed to indicate that practically all the people who voted for the National League and the Independent candidates on the last occasion had transferred their support to the Government candidates. Presumably this encouraged Mr. Cosgrave in his belief that an immediate general election would re-establish him with a majority of a less precarious nature. The sudden resolution to dissolve Parliament and to appeal to the country seems, like most bombshells, to have shaken the nerves of those people who found the explosion too close to be pleasant. Mr. Cosgrave's Clever Tactics. The Labour leader, Mr. W. Johnson, described the move as a "gambler's throw." He professed to be entirely unperturbed, but he described it as a desperate challenge to all believers in democracy. The most valuable comment from Mr. de Valera's side is to the effect that the principal result of the elections will be the disappearance of the Farmers' Party, and the acceptance of the principle that it is useless to elect several small groups to Parliament. One party which is strong enough to rule must be returned. Mr. Cosgrave does not conceal the fact* that the reason for the dissolution was the result of the two by-elections, which were too remarkable to overlook. The rest ot the country, he says, is waiting its opportunity to give the same verdstfc.

The Dublin correspondent of the Daily Mail says it is generally felt that Air. Cosgrave has acted wisely. His unusual tactics were, it is thought, fully justified by the extraordinary situation which was created by the entry of Mr. de Valera and his followers info the Dail. The Cabinet took legal advice and de-

cided to dissolve the Dail by a resolution authorising the dissolution, because it was aniikelv that the majority of members would agree, when the De Valera Party, the Labour Party and the National League members were supported by the Farmers' Party and the Independents, who were j forced to besr their own expenses, j Mr. Cosgrave would, if defeated, have ! been forced co resifin. This would have enabled Mr. de \ alera to dominate a Labour and Nationalist coalition. Mr. Cosgrave acted constitutionally, but he cleverly won a substantia! advantage, for, although the Government organisation is not overburdened with funds, it is far better off than the other parties, which, i says the correspondent, are virtually penj niless. The Constitutional Aspect. The London morning papers almost unanimously regard Mr. Cosgrave s action as a master-stroke. The Daily Telegraph says the Opposition parties are clearly enraged. Both wanted power, but neither was willing to take the verdict of the people on their fitness to rule. The Telegraph says Article 53 of the Constitution, which provides that : 'the Executive, when it does not retain the confidence of the House, may not dissolve the Dail," is popularly interpreted as applying to the present dissolution. Fortunately, the lawyers who were consulted took the broad view that the section does not apply so long as a vote of no-confidence has not been passed. Captain Redmond describes Mr. Cosgrave's action in dissolving the Dail as trickv tactics, which were designed to snatch a party advantage. The issue of the election will be peace or war. Captain Redmond says he doubts whether any enthusiasm will be evoked by the proposal to give Mr. Cosgrave the full powers of a mandate, and he thinks it will renew the civil disturbances throughout the country, by a war ot coercion upon political opponents on the pretext of suppressing crime. The Dublin newspapers contain display advertisements by the Government, while Mr. de Valera is appealing for election fuixcls. ___________