HOME RULE FOR SCOTLAND.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1436, 10 May 1912, Page 2

HOME RULE FOR SCOTLAND.

DR. CHAPPIE'S Bill. Tho text of Dr. Chappie's Hill for the better government of Scotland has now been issued (states (he "Manchester Guardian" of March i) 7), backed by mi imposing list of names, including Mr. Munro-I'erguson, Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Cat-h----eart Wason, and Sir Henry Dalziol. The following memorandum explains the extent of its provisions:— The object, of tho Bill- is to provide for the establishment in Scotland of a legislntivo body to bo called the Scots Parliament, and for the devolution to that body of the power to make laws on matters exclusively relating to Scotland. l!y this ineansit will bo made possible for matters of local importance, in Scotland to bo duly considered and determined in a local Parliament, and, in addition, tho Imperial Parliament will, to » large extent, bo relieved from the present pressure of business. By the scheme of the Bill tho subjects delegated to tho Scots Parliament are specifically enumerated and the Scots Parliament have- no power to ninko laws on any othor subjects. The executive power will continue invested in tho; Crown, and the administration will be carried on bv a committee of the Scots Privy, Council, responsible to the Scots Parliament. Power is given to the Scots Parliament to impose taxes, other than duties of Customs and Excise, and arrangements nro made for the adjustment of the financial relations between the Scots Parliament and the Imperial Parliament. The supremo power and control of the Imperial Parliament are expressly reserved. All tho Scottish members who voted Ihe other day for Dr. Chappie's Scottish Homo Rule- resolution will vote for the Bitl, in most eases, however (tho "Onardian nddedV without enthusiasm. At present, the demand for Scottish Home Pule, from whomever it may come, does not come from tho Scottish electorate.' The Bill, of course, has no chance whatever of reaching its Committee stage. The Irish altitude to it is simply that of waiting for a clearlv-expressed Scottish demand. If such were mode, the Nationalists would Ik> j sympathetic.