27 AUGUST 1927, Page 1

The Labour and Republican groups have had a certain success

in invoking Article 47 of the Constitution in order to suspend the enforcement of the Electoral Amendment Bill. The Governor-General felt bound to withhold his assent from the Bill, which is now in suspense for ninety days. At the end of that time the Opposition will be able to get the Bill submitted to a Referendum. But the whole situation is so uncertain that the occasion for a Referendum may never arise. In the case of the Public Safety Act Mr. Cosgrave had taken the precaution of procuring a resolution of the Dail that it was " necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace." That Act, therefore, is not affected by Article 47 of the 'Constitution.

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