HOME RULE BILL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1414, 15 April 1912, Page 5

HOME RULE BILL.

RECEPTION IN IRELAND, DISAPPOINTMENT IN THE LIBERAL RANKSNO REFERENCE TO DEVOLUTION. By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright (Rec. April 11, 5.5 p.m.) London, April 13. The absence of reference to a general scheme of devolution for tho United Kingdom in the preamblo to the Home Rule Bill has been commented on, as it was understood a few weeks ago that such a clause would bo included. Many Liberals were prepared to accept tho Bill as the beginning of a federal scheme, but consider that tho clauso giving power to the Irish Parliament to vary Customs and excise duties will bo an obstacle to federalism, as if England, Scotland, and Wales were similarly invested it would create hopeless confusion. Tho measure has aroused little enthusiasm in Dublin. Tho criticism in Ireland centres on the questions of tho nominated Senate and tho financial provisions. A few Nationalists share the enthusiastic opinion of the "Freeman's Journal," but the average view is that the Bill' is neither bold nor generous. Disappointment is expressed at the refusal of fiscal autonomy. Tho members of the Sinn Fein reject tho Bill with contempt. Tho Nationalists intend to attempt in committeo to secure power to deal with land purchase. They believe that they will be able to arrange this with the Government. Mr. Keir Hardie, Labour M.P. for Merthyr Tyclvil, in a speech at Banbury, declared that the Government was growing stale, and ho was doubtful if it would last out tho two years necessary to carry Home Rule. Mr. O'Brien is calling a convention of representatives of the Cork districts in sympathy with his policy to consider the Bill.