IRISH POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 January 1922, Page 5

IRISH POLITICS.

NEW LEADER ELECTED, PROTEST BY EXTREMISTS, CABINET ANNOUNCED. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—copyright. London, Jan. 10. When the Dail Eireann resumed, Mr. De V alera and his followers attended the sitting. Chi the motion of Mr. Michael Collins the nomination of Mr. Arthur Griffith as president of the Dail was made.

There was a sensational scene over Mr. Griffith’s election. Mr. Etchingham was speaking in opposition to the motion when Mr. Walsh moved that the question be put. Messrs. Boland, Childers and other leading De Valeraites rose in protest. Mr. De Valera also rose, declaring that he could not remain in the Chamber while the election motion was being put. He thereupon walked out, accompanied by 65 members.

The motion was then unanimously carried, and Mr. Griffith assumed the presidency. He announced his Cabinet Ministers as follows: Finance, Mr. M. Collins.

Foreign Affairs, Mr. G. Duffy. Home Affairs, Mr. Duggan. Local Government, Mr. Cosgrove. Economics, Mr. Higgins. Defence, Mr. Mulcahy.

A message was read from the Pope rejoicing with the Irish people on the agreement reached in England.—Aus.Z. Cable Assn.

AFTERNOON SESSION. POLICY OF NEW LEADER. AWAITING VOICE OF PEOPLE. Received Jan. 11, 5.5 p.m. London, Jan. 10. At the sitting of the Dail Eireann Mr. De Valera to the last maintained that Mr. Griffith was bound to preserve the republic. Mr. Griffith replied that he would keep the republic intact until the people decided for or against the treaty. Mr. De Valera rose and read a declaration protesting against the election of the chairman of the London delegation as president of the republic, declaring that he would not participate in the voting. As Mr. De Valera’s following were leaving noisily, Mr. Collins sprang up and indignantly shouted: '“We now call the Irish people to rally to us. We shall stand by the nation in the hour of trial.”

Countes* Markieviez, retiring, shouted : “Slaves I Cowards ’. *’

A deputation of the Labor organisation requested the House to deal with the unemployment and social problems, especially land re-settlement, and Mr. Griffith suggested the appointment of a committee to confer with the Government.

When the Dail Eireann re-assembled in the afternoon all the Republican members rose in their seats. Mr. De Valera asked Mr. Griffith for a declaration of his policy. He promised not to obstruct the new president while he iield the authority of the Irish Republic.

Mr. Griffith replied that his policy was to do the best he could for the Irish people. Mr. Childers then rose, but Mr. Grif3th angrily declined to take notice of iim. Striking his fist on the table, ilr. Griffith added: “I won’t reply to any iamned Englishman This is the Dail Sireann.”

Mr. Qiilders. white with passion, mid: “You have no business to question nr nationality; that is a matter for uy constituents. I am not a true Englishman.”

The Speaker ruled the matter out jf order.

After the Childers affair was disposed !>f Professor John Mac Neil! (the Speaker) leaving his chair, proposed a motion that Ireland was a sovereign nation. He said he did not want it to be possible for anyone to say in the future that the Irish people had not insisted on their rights. Mr. De Valera moved an amendment io the effect that the Dail Eireann reiffirm-. in the name of the Irish people, the declaration of independence made on January 21, 1919. Professor Mac Neill accepted the amendment, which became the substantive motion.

Mr. Griffith, however, indicated that ae would treat the motion contentiousiy, so Professor Mac Neil! withdrew it. Finally the Dail adjourned till February 14. Mr. Mulcahy promising that the army would be kept intact, and would be the army of the Republic. — Aus.-N-Z. Cable Assn.