NOTES AND COMMENTS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 193, 13 May 1944, Page 6

NOTES AND COMMENTS

During the period of greatest intensity in the Battle of tile Atlantic, the casualties in officers and men of the Merchant Navy reached a high figure. Since then, however, losses have steadily declined, largely through the increasing efficiency of the organization of the Royal Air Force Coastal Command. Now, according to Commander G. P. Phillips, in his book, “Dark Seas Remember," when cargo vessels are sunk 87 out of every 100 men on board are saved, “and the proportion,” he says, “is rising.” The loss of life on lifeboats and rafts is now less than 2 per cent, of the occupants. In most cases these are now picked up within 24 hours, largely owing to the evfr-extendihg activities of Coastal Command. This is a very fine achievement in life-saving at sea in wartime, and throws an interesting light on one aspect of the activities of a branch of the Royal Air Force which appears to have adopted the naval tradition of silent service.

References to the serious position of the electricity service made by the authorities from time to time have stressed the difficulty, if not the impossibility, of obtaining the plant required for hydro-electric generating stations. The power boards have shown that other Dominions have been able, despite the war, to increase their generating capacity substantially, and there is a statement in the latest issue of “Canada at War,” the very informative journal issued by the Canadian Wartime Information Board, that supports their view. It says: “In four years hydro-electric installations have increased 23 per cent.” In 1939 the generating capacity stood at 8,291,513 h.p. By 1943 that had been increased to 10,214,513 h.p., and that must have necessitated very large Installations. The plant was obtained.

j Commenting on the election results in Eire last year the Irish correspondents of the “Round Table” said: "The conclusion to lie derived from the early debates in the new Dail is that Die Government will continue in office until such time as Mr. De Valera feels that there is a good moment for securing an absolute majority.” It was considered most probable that another appeal to the electors would not be made until after the conclusion . of the war, but Mr. De Valera, beaten by a majority of one on a measure dealing'with transport, has decided that only a general election could offer the prospect of a stable working majority, and the Dail is to be dissolved. The previous election was notable for the appearance of a Farmers Party, which captured 14 seats, and for tlie added strength of the Labour movement, which, with 17 representatives, nearly doubled its membership. These gains were made largely at the expense of the Opposition, but the Government lost 10 seats and became dependent on other political parties for a majority. Since then Mr. Cosgrave has retired from the leadership of the Opposition and the presidency of the Fine Quel Party. Dr. O Higgins has become the leader in the Dail and General Mulcahy is the party president. Later Mr. Cosgrave stated that he would not be a candidate at any futme election, so that probably the long career of this leader in the publie life of Eire is approaching an end. He was the first Prime iMlnlstei of the new Irish State, and this retirement will remove from the political arena one of those who established the new order. For 10 years he guided the political affairs of Eire.