Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 21 October 1931, Page 4

In eland is again in a stressful condition. Mr Cjsgrave, the Premier, is a strong man who lias summoned all ilia courage- to fight the revolutionary element within the Free State. Coercive legislation of the strongest has been passed, and is being put into force with celerity. In order to pass the special laws Parliament bad to be. guarded by fixed bayonets and loaded guns. This might suggest terrorism itself, but the terrorism was outside Pa.rlianl£ ( nt, where a band of recalcitrants are re-sorting to murder ill the effort to deny the rights of law and order, Unfortunately the prevalence of this serious crime goes on undetected, and it is row proposed to hunt down the perpetrators associated with the unlawful institutions which have been formed. The law will be administered rigorously and swiftly, the ooject being to strike terror into the hearts and minds of those associated with the evil wavs. Mr Cosgrave nas given fair warning through Parliament, while he has even appealed to the relatives of the young men who wayward'ly constitute the membership of the ostracised organisations. Ireland at one time thought it- had to fight foes without, but something mere terrible has been reared within the gates, and the authorities deserve credit and support for the action taken. Very properly the Irish Bishops are giving full support to the Government’s orders, and indicates that the wish of the rebels is to set up a-Communistic State. If this be so, then it is well indeed that the great menace is being handled with the fullest determination to suppress it. Doubtless many of the leaders of the rebel movement will be known or traced quickly, and an example of condign punishment for acts of rebellion with the country in such a- fervour, might well be severe to impress the rank and file of the followers with the evil of their ways.