IRISH FREE STATE.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 18026, 22 May 1930, Page 14

IRISH FREE STATE.

THE “CRISIS” OVER. “AS YOU WERE.” DUBLIN, April 6. After sixteen hours’ debate, the position is “as you were." President Cosgrave and his Government are back in office and responsible citizens relieved. The plan by which the President is elected and the nominations for the Executive subsequently approved by the Dail is peculiar to our Constitution, and allows much latitude in debate. The Fianna Fail Party made full, but none too edifying, use of this opportunity. It was the same old story—Mr Cosgrave was doing England’s dirty work, membership of the British Commonwealth brought only humiliation to the State, money was being paid to England which was not due, the annuities both legally and morally aught to be with-held. AH this destructive criticism was mixed up with bitter personalities and recrimination, the searching of national records, the whereabouts of individuals in Easter week of 1916, and even barely veiled family fueds. Such criticism as was germane centred in the administration of the Department ol Justice and the activities of the Guards and detective force, and a recent co.se where Guards were mulcted of damages by the Courts for illegal action was turned to full account. Making every allowance for party heat, bitterness, and lack of Parliamentary experience, the prospect of a Fianna Fail government is disquieting. \ It must not, however, be assumed that the party claims and programmes will be judged on the merits at the next election. In the present state of our political development there is considerable pulling power in the Fianna Fail case. The retention of annuities will attract many 1 small farmers; the reduction of Old Age Pensions; the mere symbol of the Grown; the presence of a few British soldiers at Berehaven and Queenstown; all these can be made attractive items on the hustings. Unpleasant as it may seem, especially after last week’s display, the prospect of a change of Government must be faced.

Labour Prospects.

Searching for some sane solution of the difficulty, and remembering always the danger of political prophecy, it is Interesting to look for a moment at the prospects of the Labour Party. At present its political strength is far below its influence and prestige. It is weak largely because it has no organisation amongst farm workers, and it must ever remain so in a country of small-holders. It has recently separated its industrial and political wings, and the disruptive element within its ranks seems to have lost strength. The party is sober and constitutional; its talk is restrained; it sees the absurdity of a " show down ” with England; it seems to value obligations and national credit, and it came through last week's ordeal with general approval. If only It can raise election finance, it is quite possible that it may attraot a large turnover of votes at the next election, and that the balance of powei may pass to It from the Independents. Under such circumstanoes some working arrangement with Fianna, Fall Plight result. It might not be •an Ideal or a very lasting arrangement, or one possessing full stability, but it might offer Fianna Fall a happy release from their impossible and embarrassing commitments and make reasonably safe a change of Government. Finance. The bald figure of £877,000 defleii at the close of the financial year is misleading. It is the mere excess of expenditure over revenue, but it takes no account of certain abnormal items of expenditure which, by last year’s budget, were to be met by borrowing. Remembering that last year’s Budge! was a "no change ” record, a comparison between the two years is appropriate, and this shows a decrease in revenue of £448,000 and. in expenditure of £344,000. Estimates are nc safe guideJ, for in regard to expenditure, they have so often been excessive. The position of both our trade and our finance is reassuring. Progress in the one case and stability in the other are apparent. If My Blythe can only achieve another unsensational Budget he will do good service. Farmers and manufacturers want steadiness at any cost. At the moment there is every indication that the prudence of the past years and the courageous cuts made in salaries and pensions—and, above all, the recent refusal to add £250,000 to Old Age Pensions—are giving a confidence to capital. Cost of living is high and taxation is at war level, but even these may be forgotten if dislocations can only be avoided. Princess Radziwlll’s Tour.

The tour of Princess Radziwill, of the Secretariat of the League of Nations, is arousing unexpected interest. Lying on the Western fringe of Europe and unduly introspective, our chief interest was towards our kinsmen across the Atlantic. But the war has changed this. The Papal Nuncio, foreign diplomats, our representatives abroad, all tend to form a wider outlook and emphasise the responsibility of international status. It is true the vast bulk of the rural population are unconcerned, but in matters of policy and action they are led and influenced by the organised and intellectual minority. These latter are beginning to acquire an international consciousness, and the lectures of Princess Radziwill in Cork and Dublin should do much to stimulate interest in the work of the League of Nations, especially in it: relation to the welfare of women and children, upon which subject Princess Radziwill is peculiarly qualified tc speak, as she acts as liaison officer between the League and the International women’s organisations.