The Guardian And Evening Star, with Which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 1927. THE FREE STATE RIDDLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 August 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with Which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 1927. THE FREE STATE RIDDLE.

Tub liiidle of politics in tin- Irish Free i .Stale is ns puzzi ng as tin 1 riddle ot the j Sphinx. Despite the fact that Ireland j was prospering (of which there is evi-t donee on all sides) under the lender-' sliip of Mr Cosgrave’* (iovernment, his party, ’-o the surprise of all, was defeated at the last election. Numerically his party was in the minority, and ho took the sporting attitude <>l at onco announcing that it was not his intention to attempt, to reform his .Ministry. At the .same election, another surprise was created hy the solid j voting for the <le Vtiieraites, who nunt- 3 her almost one third of tile total mem-| boivship of the l>nil. Me de V’d'era, i who hut lately vetnrned fVoni Aineriea. ; had a good lighting fund for his sup-j] poet- mid once again '.was what money cult do in polities. At nil events lie was returned \v!ln .such a strength 'Ks to he a factor in the political .situation. But the next phase wi&, would the tie Valcraites take the Oath of Allegiance to the hits' State Constitution of fidelity to King George? The party openly said “no,” and now -It mem hers strong, it heennie a. party of its own,- if. Was styled the Fiaima Fail up Tarty of Destiny, anti it still remains to lie seen what part! the Party is to play in the political i destiny of Ireland. AVh'eht Pa’ liameni i reassembled Mr dV Valera, and his follower's Midy hot enter because they re-. 1 fused to take tho oath and so wore kept out of Parliament. It appeared ij the. alternative to Mr Cosgyn v’p n*. load-! or, was Mr T. .Toll'd,‘of., tile leader ol the I.fiTidu'c Party, who is described as inexperienced in political life. In the circumstances, the Bail members favourable fo Mr Cosgrave formed r, coalition, and with the do Viilfrvnitos absent, tho Coalition wo.s strong enough to appoint, a Premier who oonid carry on, and so Mr (."0.-grave was I again in. the. leadership. Then camel Stint shuttling of Mr o’Higgjiis,.u Vrmng 1 party man, 1 ieutenan'i in PH* premier. It \v,i;; a •eoid-bloodeu 'assassin at ion and j must have stirred tho nation gravely. To deal with such nets, the Government brought down a Public Safety Bill, and this measure has had the effect of arousing Southern Ireland and putting the political parties on their mettle. One .surprising result "'ns. that at a sitting of the Fianna Pail in camera, the <le YiUeraiths. to the Surprise of all agrOxid lo take the Death of All eg i'.l dev, and doing so were permitted to enter the bail. Thereupon thft fate of the Cosgrave, Ministry appeared to he sealed when tlitt Liiuor leader (Mr .TohnsoU) gate notice of a ho-eoAfiiieheo motion. Mr Cosgrave. I with the same sporting spirit as before, hastened the casting of the die by offering to go to a division last Tuesday. On "Wednesday the news eiuno through !hat The- Ministry was saved by tho oastiiiw vottt of the Speaker, and the i)ap ffuiUurned to next October. The situation continues in doubt, but rending between the lines of the speeches delivered, it would appear some working arrangement is not improbable. The long postponement gives time for considered thought. Mr .Johnson very properly said it was time to drop oSli'onte.s as between the two main factions, and fop tho good of the country proceed along some normal course that- will add to the peace and plenty Mr Cosgrave and bis Government lias shown it Was possible to achieve if the leaders and their immediate followers would lie sane about matters. It is good advice and for the sake of the future of Southern Ireland, let- us hope tho high spirited leaders will conform to a sensible line of action. As for the Ooath, that may not be changed without the consent of Britain and Lord Birkenhead has stated.clearly what are tile views of the present Government. It, remains therefore for Ireland to settle down to save politics and to seek for. the greatest good for the greatest number along normal and not abnormal lines.