REPUBLICANS LEAD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21113, 22 February 1932, Page 9

REPUBLICANS LEAD.

♦ IRISH ELECTION. FATE OF GOVERNMENT. DEFEAT NOW EXPECTED. DE VALERA CONFIDENT. CLAIMS LABOUR SUPPORT. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. (Received February 21, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. Feb. 20. The present state of parties in the Irish Free State as tlie result of the general ?lection is as follows: Government . . . . • ■ . . 50 Republicans (Fiarina Fail) • . 62 Independents . • • • . . 13 Labour 9 There are still 19 returns to come. Of these the Fianna Fail expects to gain five seats in Sligo and Leitrim, where the poll has heen postponed till March 2. So far the Government lias had one gain and nine losses; the Republicans 10 gains and one loss: the Independents one gain arid four losses and Labour two gains and two losses. It, now seems certain that Mr. Eamorn > do Valera will be the head of the largest party (Fianna Fail) though it is still a question whether he will be independent of all the other groups. Mr. de Valera says: " The Fianna Fail is in. I knew we would beat the Cosgrave Party. It is a triumph for the Fianna Fail's policy. The programme we intend >to introduce is substantially a Labour programme. Therefore, we expect the support of' the Labour Party. We shall adhere to our intention of abolishing the oath of allegiance." Mr. Cosgrave says: "It looks as if the Fianna Fail has won. We shall at [east form a very strong opposition." The Dublin correspondent of the Manchester Guardian says: "Hie one appar?.nt certainty at the present stage is that the Cosgrave regime is ended. Everyone is praying fervently, rather than hopefully, that nothing worse will come in its place. " It is improbable that Mr. de Valera will obtain an absolute majority. There tre indications that lie will have l 0 to 76 seats and Labour, which is Tiave, six to eight. There is no likelihood gf a Fianna Fail-Labour coalition is all the responsibility of office would be .thrown on Mr. de Valera." Tho Communist candidates in Dublin, Messrs. James Larkin and Troy, forfeited their deposits. The candidates elected for Kerry include Mr. J. M. O'Sullivan, Minister of Education, and Mr. F. Lynch, Minister of Lands and Fisheries. Those defeated in South Mayo include Mr. T. J. O'Connell, Labour leader. The Dublin correspondent of the Daily Herald says that although the Labour Party's numbers are small it will hold the balance of power, but will remain independent of both the big parties. The Republicans expect to be able to form a Government. DE VALEBA'S POSITION. DEPENDENT ON LABOUR. ITS SUPPORT PROVISIONAL. (Received February 22, 12.25 a.m.!> LONDON,, Feb. 21. It is now clear that the Fianna Fail, although it will lie tho largest party in :he Dail, cannot obtain an absolute majority. If Mr. de Valera forms a Government it must be dependent upon ilie Labour Party, which declares it will require him to shelve purely political and institutional questions.