The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corpora the West Coast Times THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1932 THE IRISH ELECTIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 February 1932, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corpora the West Coast Times THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1932 THE IRISH ELECTIONS.

iuiii.AND did not enter the elections kist week m any way tied, nor blind. Tlie result, however, suggests that a l'rc-e Ireland took a very mixed view of the issues. For the issues were pregnant with meaning, in that any change of Government meant a serious reversal of Home conditions, while to favour the policy of Mr De Valera meant the alteration! of me treaty with Great Britain, the abolition of the Governor-General, and a general severance of the relations with the Motherland which would carry in its train, a serious menace to Irish trade. Great Britain so thickly populated and in such juxtaposition to Ireland, would be a ready market for produce, and that’ meant much to the trade of the country. The press a fortnight before the polls could only predict a narrow margin of victory for the Government, but tne result refuted that, and De Valera at the head of the Republican party, led the largest following in the new Parliament. He may be subservient in some degree to the Labour section, which will give him support on general issues, but that section is at least outwardly loyal to the treaty and British relations. The Premier, Mr Cosgrave, proved a courageous leader and fought the disloyal elements to the full. Disloyalty is more than lip service in Ireland, for a section of the extreme party in Ireland still believ'a in the gun and scent murder. That disposition led to the passing and enforcing of the repeal of the Public Safety Act, so as to mete out sharp and condign punishment to those violating the public place. But that action was widely condemned for it carried in its train the negation of a fair and reasoned trial, and now in an appeal to the people the principle of seeking to secure the public safety by terrorism to replace the terrorism of the gunmen, has not met with approval. Mr Cosgrave nevertheless was a safe leader, and Ireland may have cause to miss him greatly. His friendly co-operation with Britain , and the Dominions _in trade won a preference which is likely to lie lost by the methods of 51 r De Valera. We may take it that the military courts established to meet out swift justice to gunman will disappear under a repeal of the law, and it remains to bo seen how the new Government will handle British relation*. II Labour will not support a onie’nl step, then it may be there will lie a further appeal on that ifv-ue. 'Flu* B“publican "(Iveiitage at this juncture certainly creates a situation of direct, interest tu the Irish people of the Free Slate. ,ml much n..!' l ) pinets in regard to internal affairs may again result. Ireland him progressed under the Cosgrave regime. There was not any mn'inv withuiii, real or imaginary, to disturb it. pence; hut there was the enemy within it,s gates wishful to put the all'ai rs of the country once more in It melting not, and for Hit' moment l.lmre is success along those |j,,cs. It remaie ; lo lie -ecu wlct s i,rt of a coiieurl ion will be the <mlcmie of the late t political shuffle oT parties.

Till', situation in China remains or rather continues involved and difficult to forecast. Japan Ims neglected the Manchurian campaign for the more spectacular conilict in the Shanghai region. The weather conditions in the North probably caused the cessation of hostilities, hut Japan managed at the latest to push as far as Harbin where winter quarters were set up. The occupation of both Mukden and Harbin on the railway line, nmans that Japan Ims two strategetionl points, and so helps to dominate the position. This advantage will tree troops for the Shanghai seat of war, and it would appear Japan is desirous of occupying Nanking. This would he a stroke of strategy to trouble the European nations, for the hinterland of Shanghai would lie occupied, and Japan could police the river which carlie* so much of China s trade. Beyond Nanking is Hankow, where the British lmd to assert its authority a few years ago. Actually Japan may he seeking to penetrate a substantial section of China, and if so the nation would have a valuable addition to its territory. China very much torn aeunder by its lack of substantial government. Bandits overrun the country, and for several years past there have been ugly situations in the south, hut the European nations were, satisfied to quell the rising and enforce a degree of law and order till the menace died down. Japan seems to mean to do much more, and appears to be bent on actual occupation to establish itself in the country which has sought to impose a. trado boycott On Japan,