NEW PRESIDENT

Southland Times, Issue 21650, 11 March 1932, Page 7

NEW PRESIDENT

IRISH FREE STATE MR EAMON DE VALERA ELECTED PERSONNEL OF CABINET (United Press Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright.) London, March 9. When the Dail Eireann re-assembled 'Mr Frank Fahy, a Lianna Lailite front Galway, was elected Speaker by 78 votes to 71’ votes, and Mr Eamon de Valera President by 81 votes to 68 votes. The Cabinet portfolios were allotted as follows: Vice-President of the Executive and Minister for Local Government and Public Health —Sean O’Kelly. Finance—Sean McEnteo. Agriculture—Dr Ryan. Industry and Commerce —Sean Lemass. Education—Mr Thomas Derrig. Defence—Mr Frank Aiken. Fisheries—Mr Patrick Rutledge. Justice —Mr James Geoghegan. Post Office—Senator Joseph Connolly. The precincts of the Dail Eireann were crowded while deputies took their seats in the horseshoe-shaped hall, the Fianna Fail remaining on the Opposition benches. Luo women deputies, Mrs O’Driscoll, sister of the late Michael Collins, and Mrs Reynolds, sat together in deep mourning. When Mr Fahy was proposed for the Speakership, Mr Cosgrave urged that Mr Hayes be re-elected. lie said it was essential to keep the Speakership out of party politics. The Labourites, however, approved of Mr Fahy, though Mr Hogan, the late Deputy Speaker, who is a Labourite, admitted that it was a mistake to make the Speakership a political office. Mr de Valera was then proposed for President. Mr J. Dillon (Independent) supported the proposal, hut said that if the Republicans embarked on an economic war with friendly nations he would oppose Mr de Valera. The latter's election was greeted with wild cheering in which the galleries joined. Republicans on the floor of the Hous* made a demonstration, which was renewed in the streets when Mr de Valera went to the Governor-General to announce his Ministers. He returned at six o’clock, when the Fianna Fail changed places with the Cosgraveites, who took their seats on the Opposition benches. It is understood that the Dail meets on Tuesday or Wednesday and then adjourns for several weeks for the preparation of the Budget. POLITICAL PRISONERS EARLY RELEASE EXPECTED. (Rec. 11.20 p.m.) London, March 10. The Dublin correspondent of the Daily Mail says that Mr J. Geoghegan. Minister of Justice, and Mr F. Aiken, Minister of Defence, visited Arbour Hill prison and ordered that all political prisoners should be permitted to wear their own clothes. It is expected that they will be released today. According to the News-Chronicle's correspondent an order id expected to be issued to-day for the suspension of the Public Safety Act.