IRISH AFFAIRS

Hokitika Guardian, 18 August 1927, Page 2

IRISH AFFAIRS

GOVERNMENT win on tie

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.)

LONDON, Aug. 16

In the Dai I Redmond asserted the British Government never passed such an extreme drastic measure as the Public Safety Act, in which Cosgrave swept away the constitution in order to preserve it. Ho described the Government as poachers and turned doorkeepers, yet when De 3 aiera showed signs of following m thenfootsteps, Mr Cosgrave used every threat and device to prevent it. There is no reason why De Valera should not be as good a doorkeeper as Cos-

grave. “The National League is wedded to the fundamentals of Irish settlement, said Mr Redmond. “Though we admit De Valera's right to try to induce the country to abrogate, we will resist the attempt to the utmost. AN have received guarantees that thej will not attempt to carry out the contentious parts of ally Tarty s programme. Therefore we have decided to support the motion.” A division resulted in a tie. .1 to <l. and the Speaker gave his easting vote in favour of the Government. One National League follower abstained from voting. The Dail adjourned till 11 tli October.

JOH XSON CIIA r.LEXG F.S COSGRAVE. LONDON. Aug. 16.

The most momentous meeting of the Daily Eireann since the treaty debates in 1921, opened when Mr Johnson. Labour leader, challenged M!r Cosgrave. The Ministry members attended m large numbers and during the forcnon gathered in little groups in the lobbies.' The whole city was very excited and parties of Sinn Fein women assembled outside the building carrying Union Jacks on which were inscribed, “This is not the Union Jack but only an empty formula.'’ The public galleries were crowded an hour before the sitting opened. l)e ValeraiteS sat opposite Mr Johnson and other Labourites occupied the cross benches facing the Speaker. There were only two questions on the notice paper and these were quickly answered.

Mr Johnson then rose to move that the Executive Council had ceased to retain the confidence of the majority of the Dail. He said the motion frankly intended to lest the views of the House upon the continuance of Cosgrave’s administration, and he declared the Government had tailed in its social and industrial programme, and there was poverty, distress and suffering, which could have been relieved had the Government made most of its opportunities and been more sympathetic in Ils administration <d existing laws. The confidence, which Mr Cosgrave enjoyed after Tiis election, had been diminished, through the passage of the Public Safety and Electoral Amendment and Constitution Amendment Acts, all measures not calculated to lead to a good Government or pence. It was Government or peace, and it was pi enviously claimed there was no alternative for Hie Government available. This was no longer true, since there were forty-three De \ aleraitcS in the House. .

LONDON. Aug. 16.

Mr Johnson continued:- —This created a new situation which should be welcomed. The country needed a rest from turmoil anil it needed a Government excluding from office lor a time cither of the parties over which there had been such fierce opposition. It needed a party of reconstruction and resettlement devoted only to national settlement, peace, order and good Government which the parties outside and bitter feud between the Administrator and Lianna Fail could 'best supply.

Mr t osgrave replying asked were secret agreements part of La.boui s policy. Tho public were entitled to know the terms under which the coalition was to he formed. Wo have had an example of the policy of Johnson. This man is of goodwill. When England was in the throes of a general strike .Johnson telegraphed offering to help the strikers, Mr Cosgrave said. The people of Ireland were expecting some constructive, sensible action and appreciation of responsihlity by the Dail. Johnson’s motion did not offer any solution. Tlie Government’s policy was a balanced budget, reduction of taxation, development of Ireland’s resources and one army. Mr Cosgrave asked did the proposed coalitionists intend to tolerate a rival army. The country needed a construction effort and Mr Johnson offered none. Mb Cosgrave concluded in one of the fiercest speeches of his career—“l wonder if the assassins of O’Higgins will feel easier to-night if the motion is carried.”

TWO BY-ELECTIONS PEN DIX G. LONDON, Aug. 16. Air Baxter (Farmers’ Party) opposing the motion In the Dail, insisted that there was no alternative to tlie present Government. He suggested a five-year combination of the Cosgraviniis and Finnna Failities to carry on, in order to let the country settle down.

Details of the voting are as follows: For the motion: Labour 22, 'Finnna Fail 43, National League 6, Independent 1. Against: Cumann Nagaedhnll 45, Independents 14, Farmers 11, non-Party 1. A. Redmonite, *.lOllll Jinks, was absent.

Air Cosgrave announced that if two impending elections clue to the deaths of Air O’Higgins and Countess Afarkieviez, resulted against the Government, the Speaker would call a. further meeting to review tlie situation. LONDON, Aug. 16. Tho “Daily Alail” says: “A last minute defection of one Redmonite saved the Irish government. The result intensely satisfied the huge street crowds.” LONDON, Aug. 17. Tho “Daily Mail” says that after Air Bed monel’s speech, everybody looked towards Air De Valera, but his followers kept silence. Tlie result of the voting was received with loud laughter. The Speaker thereupon gave his casting vote. “The Times” says: The debate was marked by no heat of oratory, and all the speeches were completely free from bitterness. THE ABSENT JINKS. LONDON. Aug. 17. Opinion/both in Ireland and London is that the Dail has settled its crisis in a typically Irish way. While the Speaker is credited with having said that Air Cosgrave is the man whose name will go down in Irish history, it needs correction on this occasion. It is John Jinks, of Sligo. "What happened to Jinks, deponent snveth not. It may be he abstained from voting from conviction. On the other hand to use an Irishism, he may have been absent because lie could not be present. All that is known publicly is that Jinks should have voted with the other six Nationals, hut he did not. Had Jinks voted, the. motion would have been carried and all the speaking in tho world could not have sat ed Cosgrave. There was laughter as well as cheers in the gallery, when the result of the division was announced.