Mr. Johnson said that his chief charge against the Government
was based on its economic policy. The Government had done little to relieve distress. As for the three measures which had been introduced since the murder of Mr. Kevin O'Higgins—the Public Safety Bill, the Electoral Amendment Bill, and the Constitutional Amendment Bill—he was convinced that they would lessen the chances of good government and of social peace. It had been said that there was no alternative to the existing Government, but the entry of 43 Republicans into the Dail had transformed the situation. It was in the belief that there was a crying need for a new Govern- ment and for a period of settlement and reconstruction that he was willing to work with the Republicans. But he must make it clear that the Labour Party intended to give " the fullest possible support " to the Treaty and the Constitution. The Constitution and the Treaty granted the country all that it needed. In effect the Free- State was already a Republic. Mr. De Valera did not speak.
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