THE BALANCE IN IRELAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21119, 29 February 1932, Page 8

THE BALANCE IN IRELAND.

When Mr. dc Valera, now assured of the largest party in "the Free State Parliament, made a statement a day or two ago 'concerning his plans, he said lie anticipated no difficulty in securing a majority. He then proceeded to sketch a policy as though it would he a homogeneous and obedient majority. But he is dependent on the Labour members for any majority that he may have, and they have now given him a plain hint that their support will be available only on their own terms. They hold the balance of power, and intend to take advantage of the fact. Mr. de Valera, according to their programme, will bo kept so busy dealing with social and economic questions that he will have little time to spare for what is rather unkindly described as " bickering over political issues.'' According to this, therefore, the price he will pay if he persists with his ideas about the oath of allegiance, or reconsideration of the treaty, will be loss of the only support by which he can hold his own and form a Government. The statement about Labour's attitude toward "reactionary Nationalist policies" is particularly significant. Mr. de Valera has always suffered as a leader through his unpractical devotion to visionary policies. Now he is being required to face facts, economic facts, and deal with them. liow far the policy which Labour will demand of him will suit the needs or meet the difficulties of Ireland can be judged only when it is given concrete shape and considered in relation to Irish conditions. Meantime the demand that he shall place economic issues first is likely to restrain Mr. de Valera from precipitate action that might create difficulties between Ireland and Great Britain. When the result of the election first became apparent the resemblance of the situation to that in South Africa when General Smuts was defeated was noted. The Irish Labour Party now shows that it will play just the role filled then by the South African Labour Party under Colonel Cresswell. It will act as a brake on extreme nationalism, just as the secessionists were restrained in South Africa.