AN IRISH ELECTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23050, 30 May 1938, Page 8

AN IRISH ELECTION

The defeat of the Government in the Dail last week has led to a dissolution, and a general election, to be held in Eire next month. It is suggested that Mi*, de Valera is acting out of pique, because he suffered a reverse by one vote on a private motion. This explanation probably does him far less than justice. It is much more likely that he is seizing what seems the tactical moment to go to the country, while the memory of his negotiations in London is still fresh, in the hope of gaining an independent majority. The Dail that is about to be dissolved was elected in July last year. To be returning to the country after this short interval is in accordance with very recent precedent. There wasi a general election in 1932. As a result Mr. de Valera found himself dependent on the Labour Party for office. Within a year there was a dissolution and an election which gave Mr. de Valera a majority of one over the other parties combined. It was a narrow margin, but byelections helped to secure the position. At the dissolution, with three seats vacant, Mr. de Valera held 78 out of the remaining 150, giving him a clear majority of "five after providing a Speaker. The election was a set-back and a disappointment to him. The membership of the Dail had been reduced to 138, and of this number Mr. de Valera secured exactly half, leaving him once again dependent on the Labour Party. He had not been comfortable in such a situation previously, and probably liked the second experience of it no better. Therefore it is wholly reasonable to assume that he is trying to better his position while the prestige of his agreement with Great Britain remains undimmed.