THE FREE STATE.

Feilding Star, Volume 5, Issue 1127, 15 June 1927, Page 4

THE FREE STATE.

A calm atmosphere lias prevailed for a long period in Southern Ireland that already it is almost forgot - t<‘ii that it was the Distressful Country and that it had been rent almost asunder by a rebellion. That period of distress and civil war cost the 2d counties comprising the Free State no less than £20.()()<).(»<><). It was thought that, the net result of such an expensel was the suppression of Do Valera, the master mind behind the revolution. Yet I>e Valera has not boon eliminated. As a matter of fact, lie is a greater ligure for weal or wiic than ever; for the general elections that were held throughout the Free State at.the end of last week resulted in a very solid group of :>S Republicans being returned, with tin* arch-rebel as leader, not counting four Sinn Foiners. The problem today is: Will Do Valera and his followers sit in Parliament, or continue to refuse to take tin* oath? Returns for the now House have been slow in coining, because the proportional representation system, the slowest of all electoral systems, is the law of the land. The latest: lignres show that the Farmers’ Party has gone down in the vote slide. In the previous House the Party held lb seats. 'boday its strength is down to eight. Labour expresses itself satisfied in returning to the House with 22 as against lb seats previously held. The Cosgrave Government: has had a very bad. setback, winning only 2!) seats, as against b-l in the late House. Just what; the .10 Independents and even National Leaguers will do about, it remains to be seen. As it is, with seven parties in the new Parliament and the seats so strongly divided, it looks as if political peace is departing against from the South of Island. The most serious prospect for tile peace of the country, as conveyed in to-day’s news is the likelihood of Mr Cosgrave declining to continue in the Premiership without a working majority. He has been a strong leader of Parliament, sane and sensible, just the man for the peaceful progress that, has been recorded throughout his regime.