MAJORITY OF TEN

Taranaki Daily News, 16 January 1933, Page 7

MAJORITY OF TEN

COSGRAVE WIN PREDICTED ANNUITIES OFFER STARTLES SILENT VOTE PRO-TREATY READINESS TO NEGOTIATE MR. THOMAS’ DECLARATION By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Rec. 7 p.m. London, Jan. 14. Mr. W. T. Cosgrave’s annuities reduction offer had a bombshell effect, notably in the western fanning areas, where retention of an unfettered British market is a vital issue. The director of Mr. Cosgrave’s campaign is already forecasting 85 seats against Mr. de Valera’s 68. More cautious prophets suggest that Mr. Cosgrave will have a majority of ten, but it is obvious the farmers wiU replace Labour as holding the balance of power. An unknown factor is how far the poll can be affected by the young generation of irresponsible voters swayed by Mr. de Valera’s romanticism and his claim of saving Ireland’s honour against British aggression. There are unmistakable signs, however, that there will be a strong silent pro-treaty vote on the part of those hitherto indifferent but who are now apprehensive of the future.

The Dominions Secretary (Mr. J. H. Thomas), speaking at Newport, denied Mr. de Valera’s allegation that at Ottawa Mr. Thomas told Mr. Sean O’Kelly: “We need not have any settling with you because you will have another civil war in Ireland within a few months.” “The best evidence that I said no such thing,” Mr. Thomas said to-day, “is that I was engaging in almost daily conversations with the Free State delegation to discover a basis of settlement. Unfortunately I failed.” Mr. Thomas referred to the Free State election speeches suggesting that Britain was not prepared to make a serious effort for settlement because it was hoped to secure the return of another Government. “We are always ready to negotiate a settlement with any Government prepared to observe its honourable obligations,” Mr. Thomas declared. PAYMENT OF HALF ANNUITIES. COSGRAVE REMITTANCE PLAN. Mr. Cosgrave recently announced that if elected he would remit the annuities for November and December, 1932, June, November and December, 1933, and June, 1934, the first collection being made in 1934. Mr. Cosgrave considered the farmers were unable to pay more than half what they had been paying, and they would not be asked to pay more. Negotiations with Britain would be based on the ability of the farmers to pay; also according to the formula to which Britain, France and Italy had already subscribed and to which he hoped America would ultimately subscribe.