JOHN JINKS TURNS UP

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 127, 19 August 1927, Page 9

JOHN JINKS TURNS UP

ABSENCE FROM DAIL ACTION QUITE INTENTIONAL EXPELLED BY HIS PARTY By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright LONDON, Wednesday. John Jinks has turned up again. Member for Sligo in the Irish Free State Dail, Mr. Jinks caused a sensation by being absent when the vote was taken that decided the fate of the Cosgrave Government. His absence was deliberate. Speculation as to his absence was at its height in Dublin when the cause of it all was observed walking unconcernedly toward the Dail. When Mr. Jinks had extricated himself from a mob of excited inquirers, he put all doubts at rest as to his part as the saviour of the Irish Free State Government. NO BLARNEY There was no blarney about Mr. Jinks. He simply said: “I left the Dail last night without voting in order to save the Government. My constituents do not favour a Coalition Government. They urged me to support the Government and my party pressed me to vote against the Government.

‘‘l listened to the debate and decided that the present Government is the best for Ireland at present. So I walked out. That is all." The National League Party has decided to expel Mr. Jinks. All sorts of extraordinary reports had been current. One newspaper went the length of asserting that Mr. Jinks was preocupied in a Dublin hotel, where the best brands of Irish whisky are stocked, when the vote was taken. COMMENT IN THE PRESS

The “Morning Post” says:—“Mr. Jinks should constitute himself a separate party. He has some of the qualities of a leader, but it is quite evident that he is not likely to be a good follower.”

The “Daily Telegraph” says:—“The sooner Mr. Cosgrave appeals to the country the better, if possible at a general election, because the country is startled at the prospect of a JohnsonRedmond coalition, which would be completely at the mercy of Mr. de Valera and his party.” The Dublin correspondent of “The Times” says:—“Only a political miracle saved the Government. It is the general opinion that Mr. Cosgrave is now safe for at least two months, but Mr. O’Connell, a Labour member, will return shortly from America. This will place Mr. Cosgrave’s party in a minority unless Mr. Jinks turns positively to the Government. “On the other hand, the two pending by-elections should result in victories for the Government. If so, that will provide Mr. Cosgrave with a majority and with an opportunity of announcing a dissolution of the Dail.”—A. and N.Z.Times.