THE GOVERNMENT OF IRELAND

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2908, 21 October 1916, Page 10

THE GOVERNMENT OF IRELAND

MR/REDMOND'SJIOTION REJECTED

THE RECRUITING ISSUE

AOBtralian-Jfew Zealand Cable Association.

'..'■'. ■•; London, October 19. _Tn the House of Commons, Mr. 11. E. Duke for Ireland), replying to Mr; Redmond,'said it was impossible to 'repeal martini law until tho ringleaders of the' rebels had been convinced of the wickedness and hopelessness of 'their .proposals. Tho British Parliament was hot responsible' for the failuro of the last effort to secu'ro Homo Rule. The failure of a settlement in July was -due to tho fact that the Irishmen were iinablo to agree; meanwhile, the Government must secure protection for all law-abiding citizens. The Prime Minister (Mr. Asquith) repudiated the allegation that Dublin Castle was being run by a Unionist admiuistration. Ho paid a tribute to Mr. Redmond's work in aid of recruiting. No nian in the Empire had rendered nioro constant, more loyal, or more effective service than Mr. Redmond. They must remember that tho Government was dealing with a transitory situation. Martial law was commonly accepted in the sense of the term, but was not being applied. Everything was being done under powers conferred by the Defence of the Realm but in view of a possible recrudescence of the disorders it was impossible tO:_dispense with safeguards. Mr. Asquith admitted that some stupid people had repeated that in Ireland at the beginning of the war many things had been done which had offended national susceptibilities.. There had been 150,000 recruits from Ireland since tho beginning of the i war, making 157,000 volunteering to enlist. This was only 2} ,per cent, of j the population, and this was a low percentage compared with the rest of the United Kingdom and, the contributions from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and South Africa. Rebel prisoners would bo released the moment •it wag safe to do so. He urged tho necessity of dispersing present suspicions and obtaining' an agreed settlement. Every sane politician in Great Britain would welcome an agreement with joy. ,

Mr. Redmond's motion was rejected by, 303 votes to 106.