HOME RULE BILL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1774, 12 June 1913, Page 5

HOME RULE BILL.

READ A SECOND TIME.

DISCUSSION "AUTOMATIC."

[ ESTER PREPARING TO RESIST. AN APPEAL TO THE PEOLPE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyilsrht (Rec. Juno 11, 10.15 p.m.) London, June 10. Sir Edward Carson (Unionist), who was warmly cheered on re-opening tho Homo Rule debate in the House of Commons, said that ho fervently hoped never again to discuss the question of Home Rule in the House of Commons. Mr. Redmond had rightly said that tho present discussion was automatic, but he and his friends declined to be automata. The peoplo of Ulster wero rightly preparing to resist Home Rule. He would take all the responsibility. Tho Government might seize arms and send troops to Ulster, but would never settle the Irish question. Tho Speaker, continuing, created a dramatic episode when he turned to Mr. Balfour and Mr. Bonar Law end said: •"Ulster's cause has never been stronger, because, in tho eyent of armed resistance, which God forbid, Ulster now has had an open declaration from the Unionist leaders—that Ulster will bo supported by the whole force of tho party." Mr. Redmond (tho Nationalist leader), in an eloquent speech, deprecated Sir Edward Carson's violence. The Nationalists, he said, were willing to go to almost any length to conciliate reasonable apprehensions. He believed that what had happened in South. Africa would happen in Ireland. The passage of the Bill was eagerly awaited throughout tho wholo Empire, as wos evidenced by the resolutions of self-governing Dominion Parliaments, and the opinions of overseas statesmen. A rebellion - was threatened in four counties, but a rebellion against three-fourths of the Irish people, distracted, outraged, and betrayed, was too horrible to contemplate. Lord Charles Beresford (Unionist), who was loudly cheered, declared: "I am an Ulsterman by birth, and if tho Government sends troops to Ireland I shall offer my services to help my fellow countrymen. I am prepared to be among tho first shot down. Other Ulstermen will come from Canada, Australia, and Now Zealand." Mr. Bonar Law (Unionist . Leader) taunted tho Government and the Nationalists with their bargain of tho 190 D Budget, to prevent an appeal to the country. Mr. Redmond and Mr. Asquith (the Prime Minister), in persona! explanation, denied such a bargain. Mr. Bonar Law: "Thero will bo interesting revelations when theso allies are no longer united." Continuing, Mr. Bonar Law argued that by carrying Home Rule in the present circumstances, tho Government constituted itself a revolutionary Government, and resistance could only be made by meeting revolution by revolution.

Mr. Augustine .Birrell (Liberal) wound up the debate. Ulster's resistance, ho said, was based on religions bigotry. As for civil war and blood-shed, ho could not visualise it. How was it going to begin? If tlio first five clauses of the Bill wero accepted he would be ready to confor with the Opposition in order to settle the question by agreement. The majority vote consisted of 250 Liberals, 72 Nationalists, 10 O'Brienites, and 36 Labour members. Mr. Balfour's amendment on the second reading of ;lie Home Me Bill was icjected by 3GB votes to 270. The Bill was read a second time, and to the Committee of the Whole House.' Sir Clifford Cory (Liberal member for St. Ives) and the Hon. T. C. 'Agar-Robar-tes (Liberal member for "Mid-Cornwall) voted against the Bill. APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE. (Rec. Juno 11, 11.15 p.m.) London, June 11. Sir Edward Carson announces that the Irish Unionists are abandoning Parliamentary proceedings against Home Rule, and,, instead, are appealing to the people of Great Britain by means of public meetings, opening to-day with a demonstration in the Midlands and in Scotland.