IRISH AFFAIRS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3088, 19 May 1917, Page 7

IRISH AFFAIRS

HOME RULE QUESTION OFFER OF FINAL SETTLEMENT MR. LLOYD GEORGE'S LETTER DETAILS OF THE PROPOSALS .•" . ; ' London, Mav 17. Official.—Mr. Lloyd- George has' written to Mn • Redmond . emphasising that any settlement thov could propose in war timo must be one substantially accepted, by both sides. He was unable to negotiate with the Irish representatives- owing to the decision of the Nationalists not to negotiate with the Government.- . • .

' The Government, he said, would seek to concede the largest possible measure of Home Rule that could bo secured by agreement at this moment. Parliament would effect a final settlement after the war of the questions most in dispute. He was prepared to introduce a Bill grafting Home Rule" to Ireland, and excluding six counties in. Ulster, such exclusion so be subject to the reconsideration of Parliament at the end of five yeaTS, unless terminated in the meantime by the proposed Council of Ireland.

The Bill proposes that the Council of Ireland eliall consist of all the members returned to Westminster from the excluded' area and a delegation of equal numbers from the Irish Parliament.

The Council would be empowered by a majority of votes of each delegation to pass private. Bills and legislation affecting any part of Ireland; to recommend the Crown to extend the excluded area under any Act of the Irish Parliament; to agree to the inclusion of the whole of Ireland under the Home Rule Act, subject to the assent of the majority of the voters in the excluded area; and to make recommendations upon Irish questions, including the amendment of the Homo Rule Act.

The President of the Council would be elected by agreement between tho delegations, or, in default of agreement, by the Crown. <

The Government considered that tho financial proposals in the Homo Rule Act were •unsatisfactory and ought to be reconsidered, while a number of important objects, such as the development of industries, housing in tho towns, and education, cannot be adequately dealt with under that Act without unduly burdening the Irish taxpayer.

, A conference, similar to the Speaker's Conference on Electoral Reform, would follow the second reading of the proposed Bill, which is as far as the Government can possibly go in tho crisis of the great war. It is prepared to introduce su«h measures if it is assured of something like a 6econd reading acceptance by both, the Irish parties.

. As an alternative, and in the last resort, it would propose a convention of Irishmen of all parties for the purpose of produoing a scheme of self-govern-ment. The constitution of the Union of South Africa was framed in spite of the v most formidable difficulties and "obstacles, by a convention representing all the interested parties in the country, and the Government believes that a similar expedient in Ireland might possibly be effectual.

Mt. Lloyd George invites views rfn the subjects contained in this letter, to enable the Government to consider the matter before Monday.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Rcuter.