THE IRISH ELECTIONS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19868, 16 June 1927, Page 6

THE IRISH ELECTIONS

The surprise of the Irish general election is certainly the number of seats won by the anti-treaty party led by Mr De Valera. A clear lesson of the contest is that he must still be reckoned with, though, at the same time, the polling, both as to the number of votes cast and the distribution of the seats, shows that by far the greater majority of the Irish people are satisfied with the present status of the Irish Free State. No doubt, with such a following, Mr De Valera will make things lively during the term of the next Dail. At the same time, on the questions of the treaty and the oath, he is in practically a two to one minority, so that, as the Times remarks, the situation, while disappointing, is not alarming. It seems to be considered that, in view of the Government’s losses, a Coalition will be necessary in order to carry on. Indeed, that would seem to be inevitable, in which ease a certain amount of concession will have to be made by the Government to the various parties which support the treaty. However, in spite of the obstruction which may be expected from the Republicans, there seems nothing in the position seriously calculated to arrest the work of ensuring peace and prosperity to Ireland. That is of more importance than wrangling over a choice between King George and President De Valera. The casting of the votes, as disclosed by the cable, shows that most of the people of Ireland are of that mind.