IRISH DEBATE IN PARLIAMENT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3023, 9 March 1917, Page 5

IRISH DEBATE IN PARLIAMENT

PROPOSALS FOR SETTLEMENT NEGOTIATIONS MR. REDMOND DISPLEASED LEADS HIS PARTY OUT OF THE HOUSE (Hoc. March S, 11.35 p.m.) London, March 7. The Houso of Commons was crowded for tho Irish debate. There were a number of overseas representatives in tho galleries. Mr. Uokn Redmond (Nationalist Leader) had recovered sufficiently to attend tho sitting. Mr. T. P. O'Connor moved: — "That with a view to strengthening the hands of the Allies in achieving the recognition of equal rights for small nations and the principle of nationality, as against the opposite German principle of militarism and government without the consout of tho governed, it is essential immediately to confer upon Ireland those free institutions long promised her." Tho motion, he said, was an invitation to the Houso of Commons to join in a united and genuine effort to settle tho Irish question. It did not indicate any change in tho attitude of tho_Nationalist Party towards tho war. That attitude had surprised every student of Irish history. It was impossible to imagine that Britain, which was fighting for tho rights of small nationalities, would bo so inconsistent and unjust as to deny this right to Ireland. Tho formation of the coalition gave the Nationalists the impression that their political opponents had triumphed, and that Homo Rule would never be allowed to become law. The manner in which tho Govern.ment had dealt with the Irish rebellion, ho said, had transformed a friendly people into one of fierce and bitter hatred. Many of tho Nationalists had joined the ranks of the Sinn Feiners. Home Rule should bo put into Operation forthwith,, for tho sake of Ireland, and tho interests of England, the Empire, and the Allies. Mr. AV. Redmond appealed for the obliteration of old animosities between North and South. He appealed to Sir. Edward Carson to rise to tho demands of tho situation, and work with the Nationalists for the better government of Ireland.

Prime Minister Stands Fast. Mr. Lloyd Goorgo, who was loudly cheered, said that any settlement acceptable to the Irish people as a whole would bo welcomed with delight in tho "United Kingdom. He was grieved that.sonio means could not bo found for uniting Ireland in tho interests of tho Empire. The present Government did not depart from the attitudo taken up by their predecessors. There must be no attempt to settle tho question in a manner which would provoke a disturbance 'in one part of the United Kingdom divided from the rest by two warring factions. The discontent in Ireland was not a material one, but tho invincible fact remained that after all the record of beneficent legislation and material prosperity Ireland was no more reconciled to tho British rule than in the days' of Cromwell. To place Ulster under tho Nationalists' rule against her will would be as glaring an outrage on liberty and selfgovornment as the denial of self-govern-ment to tho rest of Ireland. Tho Government was prepared to confer selfgovomnient upon any part of Ireland which unmistakably demanded . it. (Cheers.) But the Government and tho peoplo of Britain were not prepared to force a portion of the north-eastern corner to submit to bo governed by a population with which they were completely out of sympathy.

Tho Prime Minister quoted extracts from Mr. Asquith's speeches showing that the employment of force to coerco Ulster was absolutely _ unthinkable. Irishmen could at any time, with tlie substantial consent of all parties, secure self-govornment for that part of the country which demanded it by an unmistakable voice, but no party could afford to demand that Ulster should be forced into the settlement.

Sir. Dillon interjected: "This means that you are trying to back out cf Home Rule I" . .

Mr. Lloyd George: "That is not truo. The honourable gentleman knows it. I have not deviated one hair'sbreadth from the line I have taken during tlio last five or six years regarding Ulster. Neither Mr. Asquith nor myself contemplated tho coercion of Ulster, which would mean a permanent division in Ireland. On the other I hand, I believe a frank acceptance of | the position of Ulster can only be l brought in when she oppresses her willingness to come, and is a hundred times moro likely to achieve a united Ireland [ than coercion. I believe that ultimately, at no distant date, Ulster will come in." The Government, therefore, proposed Hie following. offer, beyond wliich. the Government would not go, either during or after tbe war: — Replying to Mr. Dillon's interjection regarding the Sinn Feiners, Mr. Lloyd George said* "My answer is that you may havo self-government if you want it, but we won't pub under your heela people wbo don't want it." (Cheers.) In order to make tlio attitude of tho Government clear, Mr. Lloyd George concluded by proposing the following amendment: — ■ "That this House, whilo welcoming any settlement which will produce a better understanding between Ireland and the'rest of tbe United Kingdom, considers it impossible forcibly to impose upon any section, or part of Ireland, a form of government which has not their sanction." • colonial Statesmen Might Help. Mr. Asquith. said he was not aware that it was tbo Government's intention to move an amendment. It appeared to affirm a proposition that no one disputed, and ho therefore doubted,whether it would be worth while to record it. The- Empire would have gTeatly strengthened itself in tho present conflict if it secured an immediate settlement to an hitherto unsolvablo problem. Despite legislative and administrative reform, the situation in Ireland was not improving. He thought it uulikoly that thoro would be a recrudescence of insurrection or rebellion, because the forces at the disposal of the Government worn euch that if such a foolhardy and desperate enterprise were contemplated it would result in complete disastor. Ho wanted to make a. practical contribution to the debate. The expedients reduced themselves to three: First, tho Government, by negotiation, might bring the two parties to an agreed settlement by a give-and-I take process. _ Personally, he beb'eved that the experimentwas not moro likely to succeed than it did in July. Secondly, Irishmen of all parties might he appealed to, to moot and arrivo at a settlomont among themselves. This would bo most excellent,- but he ' feared. it would bo impossible. Tho only practical alternative was that Parliament should invoke tho intervention of some outsido impartial : authority, which would be entrusted ' with the task of adjusting all interests ' and sentiments concerned. "This , task might be facilitated by tho ( presence among us of tho colonial < .statesmen. Any decision thc# reach* L

Ed would be subject fo final apprewfl by Parliament." Mr. Lloyd George: "What, would be the character of that body? Would it report to the Government or have statutory powers i" Mr. Asquith replied that it would not givo decisions of statutory effect ill advance. Tlicso must receive Parliament's approval, Irish Leader Dissents. Mr. John Redmond said that Mr. Lloyd George's professions in favour of Homo Rule wero absolutely unnecessary to-day. He had the power, if tho courage to usq it, to carry thess professions into practice. . This was flip time for action. Stripped of all expressions of good-will, tho riaked reality of Mr. Lloyd George's speeob. was a policy absolutely of "wait and see." (Nationalist cheers.) The Premier made no proposal. He had BUggostod that negotiations should be reopened, but after their exporienco of July, negotiations would not haveany more effect. The debate- would be injurious to tho best interests of thf> Empire. Ho felt perfectly certaiu that Germany, which long had fomented disorder in Ireland, would chuckle with delight at the attitude Mr. Lloyd George had taken up. Germany would know that Mr. Lloyd George was playing right into tho hands of the Irish revolutionaries. Mr. Redmond said that ho had listened to Mr. Lloyd George's speech with the deepest pain. It would bo absolutely futilo to continue the debate. He asked tho Nationalists therefore to withdraw and take counsel as to their next step. Mr. Redmond then Jed tho wholo of his party out of- the Houso, amidst great Nationalist cheering and opprobious epithets against tho Government benches. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. RIBOLUTO'X OF AUSTRALIAN SENATE. Melbourne, March' 8. The Senate, by 29 votes to 2, passed a. motion that the King should be petitioned to grant Homo Rule to Ireland. —Press Association.