HOPEFUL MOVE.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 May 1922, Page 5

HOPEFUL MOVE.

COALITION IN THE DAIL. COLLINS ANO DE VALERA. EARLY POLLS WANTED. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received May 21, 5.5 p.m. London, May 20. The Speaker announced in the Dail Eireann that Mr. M. Collins and Mr. de Valera had agreed to form a coalition. At a meeting of the Dail Eireann Mr. Briffith moved that the polling should be on June 16. He said the people had been muzzled long enough. Ho concluded that those who attempted by force of arms to prevent the Irish people exercising their right to vote would be met on that issue. Mr. Brugha, opposing Mr. Griffith’s motion regarding the poll, first spoke in Irish and then adressing his opponents said: “I will now speak in the language of your masters. If this election is persisted in Ireland will be divided into two British Dominions. I dare say we must again fight the English before we get what we want.” Mr. O’Callaghan, Lord Mayor of Dublin, pointed out the small difference between the parties on the peace committee. A discussion followed upon the suggestion that Mr. de Valera and Mr. Collins should lay their points of agreement before the Dail, which then adjourned. When the Dail ye-assembled the Speaker announced that Mr. de Valera and Mr. Collins had reached an agreement on the following terms:— (1) That a national coalition panel, representing both parties in the Dail and Sinn Fein organisations, be sent forward, on the ground that the national position requires the entrustment of the government of the country into the joint hands of those who have been the strength of the national situation during the last few years, without prejudice to their respective positions. (2) That the panel be sent forward as from the Sinn Fein organisation, the number from each party to be according to its present strength in the Dail. (3) That the candidates be nominated by the existing party executives. (4) That every and any interest is free to contest the elections with the national Sinn Fein panel. (5) That constituencies where there is no contest continue with their present representatives. (6) After the election the executive to consist of the President-elect as formerly, a Minister of Defence and nine other Ministers —five from the majority and four from the minority party. Each party will choose its own nominees, the president allocating the portfolios. (7) That in the event of the coalition finding a dissolution necessary a general election be held as early as possible on the adult suffrage. The agreement was greeted with applause. Mr. Griffith proposed that the elections be held in June, subject to the above agreement. Mr. de Valera seconded and the motion was carried unanimously. The Dail then adjourned till May 31. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.