DE VALERA'S MAJORITY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21115, 24 February 1932, Page 9

DE VALERA'S MAJORITY.

IRISH FREE STATE.

SEVEN RETURNS TO COME.

REPUBLICANS' POLICY,

ALLEGIANCE OATH TO GO. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received February 23, 5.5 p.m.) DUBLIN. Feb. 22. The Irish Free State general election returns are now complete, except for seven seats, including Sligo-Leitrim, where the polling has been postponed till March 2. The present state of parties is as follows : Republicans (Fianna Fail) . . 68 Government . . . . . . . . 53 Independents and Farmers . . 15 Labour and Independent Labour 9 Speaker . . 1 The party gains and losses are: Gains. Losses. Republicans 14 1 Government, . . . . 1 9 Independents and Farmers 3 5 Labour . . .. . . 2 5 With the election of Mr. P. McGilligan to the National University seat all the members of the Cabinet have been returned. A Republican, Mr. McGuire, won the other University seat.. The Leader of the Republicans, Mr. Eamonn de Valera, has written to the British United Press saying: "In regard to the question of separation, our ultimate object is i";ity and sovereign independence. At the election we only sought a' partial mandate and we mean to keep within it. The oath of allegiance is made obligatory by Article 17 of the Constitution, but it is not made obligatory in the treaty with Britain. We propose to remove the article imposing the oath and we have a constitutional right lo do so.'' MB. COSGRAVE'S HOPE. CHECK ON REPUBLICANS. TASK IN OPPOSITION. (Received February 23. 11.55 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 23. The Morning Post says the prospects of a Fianna Fail Government in the Irish Free State are strong, but Mr. Cosgrave is not averse to believing that he will have a sufficient majority to prevent Mr. de Valera doing irreparable harm. A short spell of administration would leave Mr. de Valera discredited. His extravagant promises are quite incapable of fulfilment and his difficulties will begin with tho Budget.