IRISH NEWS

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XLVIII, Issue 44, 8 November 1923, Page 43

IRISH NEWS

LABOR VIEWS.—INDUSTRIAL NEWS.— PRESIDENT’S RETURN—THE INDUSTRIAL CRISIS THE FREE STATE OATH.

Labor seems to have recovered partially from the reverses met with by its leading champions at the polls (writes the Dublin correspondent of the London„C atholic Times). Its spokesmen in the press, at all events, speak hopefully of the future, and find time to deliver some shrewd advice to the anti-Treaty group. In the Labor Party's Weekly Notes the Republicans are plainly told that they do not represent a quarter of the people, and that, divorced from the working class, they may look forward to no future. The workers, it is added, will never shed their blood for phrases— shows a wise determination, and should be noted by the doctrinaires. Dealing with the Parliamentary policy which should be pursued by their own party, the Labor writers emphasise the necessity for a national Housing scheme, advocate the development of Irjsh industry, and call for the removal of taxation from t'./e necessaries of life. Much that is rather visionary finds expression in their organs, it is true, but, on the whole, Labor seems to be moving in the Ministerial direction. 'From the anti-Treaty element Trade Unionists are separated by a gulf, from the National Party they are divided by a channel which should not render co-operation on wide national issues difficult. Although nothing very definite has transpired, there is a general belief that many of the countless strikes that now agitate the Free State are drawing to a close. In Limerick, Cork; and Dublin, both the employers and the employees are anxious for a settlement, and Mr. Larkin, who has a genius for interpreting the wishes of the less moderate Trade Unionists, has begun to express himself quite moderately again. We have entered definitely on the period of conferences; we may hope for the quick reopening of the ports. The agricultural strike in Co. Waterford, however, proves itself exceptionally difficult of adjustment, —as the farmers can carry on quite easily without the aid of their employees is little hope of settlement. This protracted strike, having aroused exceptionally bitter feeling, has caused great injury to the South; it has produced passion which it may take years to calm. Dublin gave an enthusiastic welcome to the National delegates on their return from Geneva, a welcome which showed that all sections of the citizens realise the importance of Ireland's admission to the League of Nations and. are determined to support the President in the difficult tasks of internal reconstruction which now lie before him. From Dun Laoghaire pier to O'Connell Street —a distance of seven —the presidential party made a triumphal progress, being greeted on all sides by demonstrations of enthusiasm, demonstrations most gratifying in their vehemence, when it is remembered that the route lay through districts inhabited by most widely different sections of the people. In every area, whether it was inhabited by workers, shopkeepers, or professional men, the. enthusiasm was the same. That was the most significant feature of the welcome; it proved the broad popular basis on which the power of the present Government is based, and showed how fortunate we are in having an Administration devoted to the interests of the people as a whole. Addressing the vast concourse assembled in O'Connell Street, the scene of so many historic meetings in the annals of the Capital, the President, who looked extremely well after his tiresome journey from Geneva, dwelt on the nation's great potentialities, emphasised the opportunities which now lie before all law-abiding citizens, and declared that every man and woman must work whole-heartedly in future in the interests of the State. His speech was short, but it struck the proper note. It called upon the people to turn with hope towards to-morrow, and warned them against those who would revive/the strife and bitterness of yesterday. , , ' ; ' '

Professor Whelehan, Assistant Minister of Industry and Commerce, announces that the Government is prepared to mediate between the employers and the workers, who in many areas are still seriously estranged. If direct Ministerial intervention is not desired, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce would agree, he adds, to nominate independent persons to whose decision the differences that now exist could be referred. Both the employers and the official trade unionists seem anxious to avail themselves of one or other of these offers, which is not surprising in view of the enormous losses sustained by all sections through the strikes. In Waterford and Limerick independent efforts have been made already to re-establish economic peace. In Waterford Captain Redmond, T.D., succeeded in inducing both sides to meet in conference, and, though no settlement was reached, it became plain during the negotiations that a compromise would be arrived at in the end. In Limerick, Rev. Father Phillip, 0.F.M., has opened peace negotiations, and it is hoped that his efforts' will restore industrial tranquillity. Being extremely popular, Father Phillip will probably succeed in ending the crisis in the bacon trade; if he does, he will deserve the thanks of every farmer and trade unionist in Munster. The swearing-in of the members of the Fourth Dail commenced on Monday at Leinster House, Dublin, and was continued until 2 p.m. on Wednesday, when the Dail met (says the Belfast Irish Weekly for September 22). Leaving out the 44 Republicans, who are not likely to take the oath, there were 109 members to be sworn, 63 of them being Ministerialists. Comparatively few attended to take the ■ oath on Monday, the first to do so being Mr. Thomas Johnson, leader of the Labor Party, followed a little later by President Cosgrave, Mr. Ernest Blythe, Minister for Local Government; Mr. Dan McCarthy, Chief Ministerial Whip; Sir James Craig, Trinity College; and Alderman Beamish, Cork. Little public interest appeared to be taken in the proceedings. It was a humdrum and uneventful business. In former days the taking of the oath was an impressive ceremonial affair. The change to the present form' followed a procedure legalised after the scene created last year, when Mr. Larry Ginnell turned up at the Dail but refused to, take the oath. The precedent of Monday, it is accepted, , will apply through the course of Parliament. The following was the oath administered by the Clerk to the Dail and taken by the members who attended: "I—do solemnly swear true faith and allegiance s to the Constitution of the Irish Free State as by law established, and that I will be faithful to his Majesty King George V., his heirs and successors by law ; n virtue of the'common citizenship of Ireland with Great Britain and her adherence to and membership of the group of nations forming the British Commonwealth of nations." "Such oath shall be taken and subscribed by every member of the Oireachtas before taking his seat there- ',_ -in before the representative of the Crown or some per}.son authorised by him." ; . The Standing Order by virtue of which the Clerk acted is couched in these terms: - „ "When all the returns to writs issued for a General Election to Dail Eireann shall have come into the hands of the Clerk of the Dail he shall issue notices to all teachtai returned notifying them that their attendance is required on a day (or days) to be named by him, which shall be prior to that mentioned in the Proclamation. for the summoning of the Dail for the purpose of complying with the provisions of Article 17 of the Constitution. The Clerk shall make all necessary arrangements for the purpose of this order. • ,-