IRISH AFFAIR?

Hokitika Guardian, 14 September 1927, Page 2

IRISH AFFAIR?

1 KISH ELECTIONS. 'Australian & N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, Sept. 12. The “Times’ 5 Dublin correspondent says:—“Rainbow chasers” and “dappers ” is how the Irish describe vague idealists and young unthinking voters. These latter may he impressed by Mr Do Valera’s promise of a new heaven on earth and by the ridiculous fable that the British imperialists are financially supporting Air Cosgrave. “ But,” says the correspondent, “the Labourites and the Kedmondites have lost prestige through their support of Mr De Valera. Two minor parties that were hostile to the Government have now been eliminated. Mr De Valera’s casuitry over the oath has caused many deflections, and he has been denounced (loin many church pulpits. If there is a .sixty per cent poll. President, Cooiidgo is ensured of a substantial victory ; but if the people in the harvest electorates are apathetic, and there is only a fifty per cent poll the Government majority may be narrow. It is hoped that the result will he decisive, because the Free State is tired of political crises, and wants to settle down .to business. President Cosgrave chiefly desires a respite from high politics, to enable liini to tackle certain urgent economical problems, and notabi'y the matters of high taxation and the lack of capital from which industry is suffering, with the result that there is much unemployment in Dublin, Cork and the other big towns, with a high cost of living. Agriculture in Ireland also is depressed, owing to low prices and to a lack of organisation which is giving to Denmark and New Zealand an advantage in the British dairy produce market. The old doctrine of hatred and distrust of England has lost its appeal. The majority in Ireland are realising the folly of quarrelling with Britain with whom eighty-four per cent of the trade of the country is now carried on.”

EVE OF POLLING. LONDON, Sept. 13. With the Free State polling on Thursday, interest in the elections is increasing, hut it is by no means Intense. There arc 1 "t few of the scenes usually associated with the Irish bustini>;s. “ Our prospects of success could ’lot be brighter.” said President Cosgrave to a “Daily Express” correspondent at Cork. V\ bile it is not safe to prophesy in Irish politics, London press correspondents generally do not anticipate a clear majority of the C’osgravians over all the other parties. Some sort of a | coalition is regarded as inevitable.

Pro Government estimates suggest President Cosgrave will win from ten to twelve extra seats. This, with the aid of the Farmers and Independents, would give him a fair working majority.