IRISH SITUATION

Hokitika Guardian, 5 November 1932, Page 6

IRISH SITUATION

FARMERS’ PROTEST MEETING

NEW POLICITAL PARTY

TvOBAB-LE

LONDON, October 31

Seventeen of the twenty-six counties of tue Irish t ree State were represented by oven 200 accredited delegates -at- the farmers’ meeting in Dublin last week. The meeting was intended to-voice the anxiety of the farming population at the state of penury to w.ih they are b ing reduc-; ed by them deprivation of a-cess to the British markets for their agricultural'produce. ■ . There was no mistaking the implication that whatever mandate Mr de VTiiern may claim to -have secured at the last general election the ir-ght to destroy markets for ( the Fr-e State is not conceded by the farmers. -While the farmers’• protest meeting was intended Ito be purely economic, it was inevitable in tlie nature of things that politics should arise. The f-liners’ grievances are the result of political action taken by the Government, and it is, -almost inevitable that the farmers,' who resent tlie; sufferings forced upon them from this cause, will organise politically. It will be' no surprise, therefore, if, ■ following thp success of their protect meeting, a new oolitical narty arises and tries its for 1 tune at .the next general election.-

The fact that Mr Frank Mic Dermot was unanimously chosen .as chairman cf the meeting and also of the temporary organising committee, designates him clearly, as the-leader of the new movement. Mr MncDermot lias many qualifications, for the. position. He is independent of all political, parties, although associated with the small independent farmers’ group, is an original thinker holding original and independent views, arid he does not hesitate to give expression to these views-no matter in hat quarter they . may .be resent'd. -• ■■ . .

OvCr and above .political views lie places., the interests of the small farmers who constitute the great majority of his constituents in Co., Roscommon. Hr, keeps, in close touch with these, and a]most every Sunday he makes it ,a point -to- have brief talks with sections,of them at tlie. various churches.- Politically, lie vis against the partition of the ..country, and on the subject of the Fre 2 relations; with the Commonwealth lie is fully convinced that the best interest? of the Free State are to be secured by remaining, within the Commonwealth. He does, however, strongly oppose the ppsition, in vi liicli;. the Free State at present stands, ini,relation to. the other Dominions, a pdMiricm prif which ; the Free State has. >ll the disadvantages of complete ,separation and . none of the advantages ci 'inclusion. Fanners constitute thne-qUarters ,ef the population, and agriculture is the chief industry. Both' Tlianna Fail and Cumman 11a. nCaedhealare mainly composed of farmers. .i-Xet this remarkable fapt.;.reroainS;thatsrjn the .present pail, oriiir four faririefi deputies have been returned as Sixfyears a go there wag; a party: op elevt-n fanners..in tlie Bail, bqt .-.aftfra: time . these were merged;with Ciimman-na, nCaedheal.. There is feeling that only, by ,gome centre niQVGjn,crii. pf the kind can the couptry be finally -got awqy. from the rankling animosities- of tho civil war, aijd- it is. apparently in this spirit and with this purpose that tho new party is,lieing, created.