The Wanganui Chronicle MONDAY, JUNE 13, 1927. THE IRISH ELECTIONS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19865, 13 June 1927, Page 6

The Wanganui Chronicle MONDAY, JUNE 13, 1927. THE IRISH ELECTIONS

Oversea Britons, whatever their national origins, are much interested in Ireland and are naturally anxious to hear results of the general election which has just taken place in the Green Isle. As it happens, news so far is very meagre. The polling was conducted under the Proportional Representation system, which is as exasperatingly slow in regard to counting the votes as it is of doubtful benefit in securing efficient representation. However, enough news has come through to indicate that there has been a considerable turn-over. Earlier messages stated that the voting was expected to favour the Government, but later reports state that the reverse has happened. De Valera, plentifully supplied with funds from American sympathisers, has shown that he is still to be reckoned with, and his party and the National Leaguers between them are stated to have won a third of the seats formerly held by supporters of the Government. Even Ministers have had their majorities reduced. It is further stated that a Coalition Government is regarded as inevitable. When later reports get down to details, it may be found that this forecast is astray, but if its correctness be assumed for the present, it would seem that there are possibilities of considerable modification in Irish policy. With De Valera having a say in Government proposals, a revival of the agitation for a republic may be looked for, and, while opposing influences may be strong enough to keep such a plank out of the Government’s programme, it would occasion no surprise to hear of the old clamour being renewed. It will be a thousand pities if that happens. Ireland now has a system of government which meets all practical needs and what she most requires is the opportunity for peaceful and progressive development rather than a time-wasting wrangle about the theoretical excellence or otherwise of monarchial and republican forms.