IRISH ELECTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21114, 23 February 1932, Page 9

IRISH ELECTION.

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DE VALERA'S MAJORITY. THREE TO SEVEN VOTES. SUPPORT FROM LABOUR. IMPOSING LIMITATIONS. By Telegraph—Press Assooistiou—Copyright, (lieeeived February 22, 11.15 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 21. The official stale of the parties as the result of the Irish .Free State election is as follows: • Republicans (Fianna Fail) . . f> r > Government 50 Independents and Farmers . . 15 Labour . . . . . . . . 9 A Dublin message states that the Labour Party announces that it will put. Mr. Cosgrave out and put Air. do Valera in a position of dependence. It will impose strict limitations to the Republican programme, particularly in regard to tinkering with the treaty with Britain, although this is unlikely to provo an obstacle to an alliance between Labour and the Republicans, as Mr. de Valera has already announced that he will again consult his electorate before denouncing the treaty. On present prospects, Mr. de Valera may have a voting majority in tho new Assembly of at least seven, but ho may only have three. Indeed, the final result may depend on the polling in Leitrim. Religious Attitude. One factor that becomes increasingly important in view of tho close contest is the attitude of the Roman Catholic authorities, who are anxious for a calm political atmosphere for the Eucharistic Congress in June. Alessrs. Alorrissy and Anthony, both successful Independent Labour candidates, were ejected from the Labour Party because they supported tho Government regarding the Public Safety Act. This will bring the number of Independents to 17 and all are expected to support Air. Cosgrave.,

Mr. de Valera, interviewed, said lie could not see how the proposal to remove the oath was likely to lead to difficulty with England. The oath was not obligatory in the treaty, but only by Constitution. The alternative to the removal of the oath was coercion, which had been tried for over a century and had failed. " We propose to govern by ordinary law and to replace violence by peaceful efforts toward complete independence. We intend to withhold land annuities. We are prepared to negotiate trade agreements with England, with whom we desire to live peacefully." Asked regarding the Irish representation at the Ottawa Economic Conference, Mr. de Valera said: "Our trade with the Dominions is so small that negotiations can be carried on nearer home than at Ottawa." National Government Favoured.

Tho Observer suggests that a strong body of opinion in Ireland favours a National Government similar to that of Britain, with a neutral person as President and only essential matters being placed before the Dail. Mr. do Valcra is unlikely to accept this course. The Sunday Times states: "Wo need not be apprehensive, though we should not ignore tho dangers if tho oath is abolished. The wisest course will probably be to let the effect operate automatically. The Free State would cease to be a Dominion, Southern Irishmen living in England would become aliens and tariff preferences would be forfeited." The Times says the defeat of Mr. Cosgrave is largely due to the attrition of a decade of stern maintenance of law and order, which made bitter enemies. Careful management of tho finances alienated a multitude of electors, who anticipated the Irish Government milch goat. Mr. C'osgrave's Government had shown an incredulous world that Irishmen could govern their own country and govern it well. The most likely prospect was that of a Fianna Fail and Labour Government steering for a few months through increasing troubles to another general election.

Mrs. May Reynolds, widow of the Government candidate, Mr. Patrick Reynolds, who was shot on February 14, has been adopted as the candidate for her husband's former constituency. Thcro (ire 13 candidates for seven seats in the SligoLeitrim division, in which the contests were postponed on account of tho shooting.