IRISH FREE STATE

Southland Times, Issue 21647, 8 March 1932, Page 7

IRISH FREE STATE

NEW GOVERNMENT

PROPOSAL TO ABOLISH OATH EVENTS ANXIOUSLY AWAITED (United Press Assn.—By Telcg aph—Copyright.) (Rec. 7.0 p.m.) London, March 7. The Dublin correspondent of The Times states that events in Dublin in the next few days are awaited anxiously. They may possibly determine the new Dail’s lifetime. If both the Fianna Fail and Labour adhere to their declarations an irresistible force will meet an immovable body. If Mr de Valera raises the oath issue it will, like Aaron’s rod, swallow all others, involving a challenge to the Empire in which the Free State social programme will be helplessly submerged. Apparently Mr de Valera seeks both to repudiate his obligations and retain the advantages of the treaty, though the counsels of his lieutenants may induce him to modify his plans owing to the approach of the Eucharistic Congress. Mr Cosgrave and his supporters will probably play a waiting game. Broadcasting to America, Mr de Valera indicated his intention of complying wyth Labour’s demand and of giving precedence to social and economic legislation. He added that parents must no longer be doomed to rear children for export. Ireland must provide work for her unemployed by giving them work which strangers at present were doing. The state of the parties now is: Fianna Fail 72 Ministerialists 55 Independents 15 Labour 7 Independent Labour 2 The above figures disregard the Speaker and Mr Daly’s seat, which is unfilled.