A REVEALING BARGAIN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21597, 15 September 1933, Page 10

A REVEALING BARGAIN

The means Mr. de Valera has adopted to retain the support of the Labour Party in the Dail reveal several facts of importance. Support from Labour is given conditionally. A detailed list of measures on its programme has been presented for adoption by the Government as the price of political partnership and accepted as the basis of this understanding. In other words, the domestic policy of the Government is largely dictated by Labour. The Government's acceptance of this dictation indicates a weakening hold on its own* party. Without the support of Labour, Mr. de Valera has a party majority, small but sufficient, providing every Fianna Fail member is thoroughly loyal. Apparently, there is no assurance of this absolute loyalty. This opinion is strengthened by happenings at the time of the earlier compact between the two parties. Labour, by no means favourable to a breaking of the British tie and objecting to the oath of allegiance only on the academic ground of a dislike for such undertakings in general, expressed its readiness to vote for its abolition on the understanding that Mr. de Valera gave priority to its programme of industrial and social measures. He agreed, but broke his promise, putting his constitutional plans first. Now, before these are carried through, he agrees to Labour's terms, in palpable need of extraneous support to retain power. It is evident, in this connection, that he is doubtful about the result of another appeal to the country, for if he were quite sure of a favourable vote by the electors on his main items of constitutional policy he would place the issue on these. What is reported of the plight of Dublin —one in eleven of its whole population maintained by civic relief funds —partly explains his obvious fear of the electors' verdict. Nominally, Mr. do Valera is in power, yet is under necessity to obey Labour's demands in order to keep office. The fusion of opponents has thus further proof of its success. Hitherto, the Government has bo profited by the divided nature of the Opposition that it could afford to hold lightly its promise to Labour. Now, seemingly, it must honour the bargain or surrender office —with a educed prospect of regaining ascendancy .at the polls.