IRISH FREE STATE

Southland Times, Issue 20202, 13 June 1927, Page 7

IRISH FREE STATE

ELECTION RESULTS PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION CAUSES DELAY UNIONISTS RALLY AGAINST REPUBLICANS (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) London, June 10. The Times Dublin correspondent says that the heavy poll was the most remarkable feature of the elections, and exceeded seventy per cent. Some districts eighty per cent, voted as compared with sixty in 1923. Not many results are expected to be declared before Sunday, owing to the tediousness of counting proportional representation, especially where a host of candidates are contesting a few seats. The heavy poll is expected to favour the Government as the Republicans in 1923 polled every available voter, while the majority of new voters consist of former Unionists who hitherto have not participated in Free State elections. They voted in thousands to keep out the Republicans, fearing a majority following De Valera’s return from America equipped with plentiful funds. —Times. RESULTS CAUSE SURPRISE. DE VALERAITES MAKE HEADWAY. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) London, June 11. The incomplete counts in the Irish Free State elections is causing great surprise, since they indicate that the Government will lose one-third of its seats, chiefly to de Valeraites and National Leaguers. It is believed that a coalition is inevitable. Mr Cosgrave and other Ministers have been elected with greatly reduced majorities. —A. and N.Z. POSITION OF PARTIES. (Rec. 11.0 p.m.) London, June 12. The Free State election progress returns show the Government and National League as 5 to 3, and Independents and Labourites 3 to 2 respectively. The De Valeraites have gained three and the Government lost two seats. Those elected include the Ministers O’Higgins, Walsh, Blythe and Fitzgerald, also Captain Redman. Frank Aitken, who was on the staff of the Republicans during the civil war defeated Hughes, Minister for Defence for the Louth seat. Cosgrave and De Valera are at present leading the poll.—A. and N. Z.