IRISH AFFAIRS

Hokitika Guardian, 19 September 1927, Page 3

IRISH AFFAIRS

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association. PRESS COMMENT. (Received this day at 8 n.m.) ■LONDON, Sept. 18. ’The elections were remarkable lor tho paucity and slowness of inlorniation but it’ developed into a. neck and neck race. The two great parties are as you were, seems the command of the people, despite tho fact that this means a recurrence of the hopeless predissolution tangle. The latest figures indicate tho Government are unlikely, to get the sixty-one hoped tor seats to*'give a clear majority. What will jhappen in the case of another stalemate is unertain, hut Ml old alternatives are possible. At any rate Mr Cosgrove's appeal has no tragic consequences to himself, his 17,397 Cork City record total of first, preferences being more than twice the quota. Tho added success of Kilkenny makes the greatest personal triumph of the campaign. Ever since Mr Jinks began the surprises the unexpected has continued to happen. For example there was. almost a total absence of bitterness. Tliel surprises were tho defeats of Messrs Johnson and Baxter, and the win of Mr Larkin.

Tho “Sunday Express’’ says even Irish electors are bewildered at the complexity of proportional representation winch was shown to be unworkable.

Tho “Observer” says it seems the Irish voters are content to wait till the Treaty oath is lost, in some real division of political, economic interest. Even if there is little alteration in the parties, however, there will he much geographical change. Tho present line of cleavage does not go deep hut the visible tendency is to split the protectionist and anti-protection-ist groups, and groups seeking the rejection of the self-centred On elm speaking community of the north-west coast. Mr Cosgrove has been of immense service in saving Ireland from interminable convulsions over a trumpery terminology, winning time for natural issues to come forward. IRISH ELECTIONS. LONDON. Sept. IS. Mr Lynch, Minister for Fisheries, was returned for the Kerry Government. The parties are now (30, including 46 Ministerialists, Opposition 51 including S 3 De Valeraites and 10 Labourites The others are unchanged.

Latest returns are Government parties 53, made up of Government 30, Independents 11. and Farmers 3. Opposition 49. lie Valeraites 37, Labourites 9. Rational League 2, Independent Labour 1. Mr Fitzgerald, Minister of Defence, was elected for Dublin County Mr Cosgrove also headed the poll at Carlow and Kilkenny. Michael Collins’ sister. Mrs Drascoll, Governmenter, was elected tor Dublin City North.