HOME RULE BILL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1417, 18 April 1912, Page 5

HOME RULE BILL.

FIRST READING CARRIED*-,' | MAJORITY OF 104. CRITICISM BY UNIONIST. LEADERS. By rolfrrarh—Frtsj Association—'Bouyricll (Ree. April 17, n p.m.) r London, April 17, -The clobaf-o on the Home Rulo Hill was continued i« Uio Jlotifo of Commons yoslordny, Mv. "W, 11. I,nig, "Unionist; member for tho Strand, defied (ho English supporters In say f hat Jlomo Rulo would confer a better Government mi Ireland. Tho Bill would Hllriko seriously at, Ireland's future prosperity. Tbo Government had dono nothing to plaeato Ulster, but on tho contrary it bad dono everything to incroaso tho bitterness and suspicion. Mr. T. P. O'Connor (Nationalist) dofended tbo Roman Catholics against tho accusation of intolerance, which, bo declared, was iifi "empty, mean, lying calumny." Ho said fho Senate would bo a powerful Protestant safeguard, and suggested tliat half the Senators should 1)0 nominated by Protestant bodies. It should have tbo power to veto every appointment where tbo salary is over .£SOO. Speech by Mr, Bonar Law. Mr. Bonar Law, Leader of llio Opposition, said it was impossible to regard tho Bill as final, because it conferral a constitution to which nono of tho self-govern-ing colonies would submit for a week. Tho power of tho veto was not exercised in tho colonies, and 0110 democratic Gov- ■ eminent could not control another. Tho • guarantees woro worthless. 110 would J givo Ireland, if possible, tho same powers , as Canada, because then there would bo a chance of a friendly Ireland. Under tho Bill, whenever things went wrong, all the blamo would be placed on tbo Imperial restrictions. An agitation would, thus remain for nn Irish Parliament, making it moro dangerous than now. Ulster's opposition made Home Rule impossible. Ho reiterated tlmt tho Government was acting against its convictions because it was dependent; on Irish votes. The Premier's debt of honour regarding the reform of (he llouso of Lords must wait till the debts of shame had 1 been paid to Mr. Redmond. Tho Bill ' could not be carried without submission. ' to tho people. "Violent and Impudent." Mr. Birrell, Secretary for Ireland, said. Sir. Bonar Law's speech was violent and impudent. Tho Liberals we.ro content witli their Premier, and did not envy tho Opposition their new leader. Tho motion that tho Bill bo rend a first time was then put and parried, tho voting being:— For tho Bill 3GO Against tho Bill 2GG Majority for 101 Tho Liberal majority included 215 Liberals, 70 Labour members (P tho Labour party totals 42), and eight O'Brienites. Sir J. C. Cory, a Cornish Liberal member, voted against tho Bill, and Mr. Agar-Robartes, another Cornish Liberal member, did not vote. FUNDS FROM NEW ZEALAND. SUM OF JCIO.OCO OFFERED. (Rec. April 17, 11 p.m.) London, April 1". Mr. John Redmond, Leader, of tlic Nationalist party, has received a congratulatory message from Mr. Glceson, of Now Zealand, who states that New Zealand, if necessary, will subscribe a further A'lo,ooo towards the Homo Rulo funds. A special Synod of the Irish Church has boon held, and has protested against any Homo Rule Bill arresting the beneficent Imperial legislation which is producing prosperity in Ireland. The metobers of the Synod appeal to their coreligionists to assist in' the defeat of tho Homo Rule Bill. "ULSTER'S STERN RESOLVE." London, April 16. Tho Liberal-Unionist Association in Ulster in a manifesto says the Bill confirms Ulster's stern resolvo against being rolcgatcd under any circumstances to control by an Irish Parliament. Tho Parliament, tho manifesto declares, hns unrestricted powers under the Bill. THE NATIONALIST CONVENTION. London, April IG. Alderman J. Simeon, Lord Mayor of Cork, has resigned owing to tho criticisms af his acceptance of an invitation to tho National Convention contrary to the All Ireland League's resolution. Tho Corporation of Belfast received Mr. I. Devlin's invitation to send delegates to tho Convention. The Loi-d Mayor declined ,o receive a motion on the subject.