FREE STATE POLITICS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16376, 25 June 1927, Page 5

FREE STATE POLITICS

COSGRAVE S RE-ELECTION REPUBLICANS REFUSED SEATS (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) DUBLIN, June 23. Mr. Cosgravo has triumphed in an atmosphere strangely akin to other years. . The Republican! demonstration is described as a. rank, failure, though excitement was at fever heat all day in anticipation of-the Do Valerates' actions. The Government took stern measures. Hundreds of civic guards Wore stationed in the vicinity of the Dai I, and adjoining streets were closed to traffic. Everybody was closely questioned before admittance. The leaders of the opposing forces

assembled at a Catholic service con

ducted by the Archbishop of Dublin. The vast congregation was thrilled by the spectacle of the political war wagers kneeling shoulder to shoulder, and they were cheered to the echo on emerging. i Later in the day Do Valera's supporters arrived from all parts in motors, lorries and wagons inscribed "Abolish the Oath." A few processions moved in the streets, carrying banners "We will not take the oath." The De Valeraites then walked to the Dail, produced their credentials, and wore admitted to the lobbies, and formally informed they could not bo seated without taking the oath. One by one they refused and protested noisily. i The officials wero powerless to exclude them, but every door leading to . the Chamber was locked, and strongly guarded. ; TREATY MUST REMAIN.

i De Valera then led his party to the street, where they boarded wagons and paraded, ' acknowledging the cheers. Meantime, the remainder of those elected assembled at the Dail, where Mr. Johnson, Labor leader, declared he proposed to have a. division .whether Mr. Cosgravo be re-elected. 1 Mr. Baxter, leading the Farmers, said they would not oppose the election, but would support Mr. Cosgravo only when they agreed with, his policy. Mr. Redmond, Leader of the Nationalists,, said they were prepared to support any Government, irrespective of parry, which maintained law and ' order. i The Assembly thereupon elected Mr. Cosgravo, who said: "If I accept office, it is only on the clearest understanding that 1 will receive support to carry out my programme. I have no intention of tampering with the Treaty Constitution. Tho House cannot remove the obligation to take the oath. Until it is denounced and altered, the Treaty must remain. The Government, has no intention of endangering cordial relations with Britain for the purpose of saving f acos."

Mr. Cosgrave added: "The Republicans are not kept from the Dail because of the oath, but because they are sheltering behind subterfuges."

THE NEW CABINET,

Mr. Cosgravo has announced lus Cabinet as follows: — Vice-President and Minister of Justice and Internal Affairs: Mr. Higgins. Minister of Defence: Mr. Desmond Fitzgerald. Minister of Industry and Commerce:

Mr. McGilligran. Minister of Education: Professor

o'Sullivan. Minister of Land:-: and Agriculture: Mr. P. Hogan. Minister of Fisheries: Mr. F. Lynch Minister of Local Government General Mul'cahy. Minister of Post and Telegraphs: Mr. J. J. Walsh. ,