SURPRISE RETURNS IN IRISH ELECTIONS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 69, 13 June 1927, Page 1

SURPRISE RETURNS IN IRISH ELECTIONS

GOVERNMENT SET-BACK REPUBLICAN ADVANCE By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright Reed. 10.35 a.m. LONDON, Sunday. LONDON, Sunday. There are only a few definite results available in the Irish Free State elections for Dail Eireann, which consists of 153 members. These are: Government 10 National League 3 Independents and Labour .. 4 De Valeraites 7 Early figures indicate that the Government will lose one-third of its seats, chiefly to candidates put forward by the Republican leader, Mr.

Eamonn de Valera, and to the National League candidates. It is believed that a coalition ministry will be inevitable. The President of the Dail, Mr. W T. Cosgrave, and other Ministers, have been re-elected, but with greatly reduced majorities. The Dublin correspondent of “The Times” stated yesterday that the heavy poll was the most remarkable feature of the election. It was more than 70 per cent of the electors, and in some districts 80 per cent, -conpared with 60 per cent in 1923. The Government has lost two seats. Those elected include the Minister of Justice, Mr. K. O’Higgins, the Minister of Posts and Telegraphs, Mr. J. J Walsh, the Minister of Finance, Mr. E. Blythe, the Minister of External Affairs, Mr. D. Fitzgerald. Captain Redmond and Mr. Frank Aitken were also elected. Mr. Aitken vas on the staff of the Republican Army during the civil war. He was returned for Louth, and defeated the Minister of Defence. Mr. Peter Hughes. The President, Mr. W. T. Cosgrave, and Mr. E. de Valera, are at present heading the poll.—A. and N.Z.