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Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 177, 16 April 1918, Page 5

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HISTORY OF THE FINAL NEGOTIATIONS SIR HORACE PLUNKETT AND THE PRIME MINISTER FUTURE PROSPECTS , c . ~ , London, April 14. Alter tho failure 61' the convention to nyd a basis of financial agreement, Mr. Woyd George wrote- to Sir Horace Plnnke« suggesting -ti u ,.t the convention filiould not come lo a defiuito break without tho Government having an opportunity to consult the leaders of tho convention, adding (hat the Government naci agreed «nd was determined that a solution must bo found, and was prepared to do anything in its power to assist m reaching a final agreement to enable the new Irish Constitution 10 como into operation with .the consent 01 all parties. '

Writing to Sir Horace Plunkett again, alter a. conforenco with tho leaders, Mr. Lloyd George said it was clear to tie Government that tho only hope of agree merit lay in providing unity in Ireland Slider a single Legislature,' adequately saicguarding the interest of "Ulster and tho southern Unionists, and preserving the fundamental unity of tho United kingdom. The Government was a«»ro of tho seriousness of the Customs end iixcise questions, Mr. Lloyd Georgo added that it was practically impossible (o disturb !he fiscal and financial relations of Britain and Ireland in tho midst of war. It might also be incompatible with tho federal reorganisation of tho United kingdom, in favour of which opinion was growing. He suggested that during tho war, and for two yours thereafter, the British Parliament should control the Customs and Excise. As soon, as an Irish Parliament was established a joini Exchequer Board should bo created to determine tho true revenue of Ireland, and after that ;i Koynl Commission should be appointed to examine the financial relations and report on Ireland's contribution to Imperial expenditure, and submit proposals to adjust the economic and fiscal relations. The Government was prepared to hand«oyer other forms «f taxation to Dib Irish Parliament; also, tho balance of <\ho Customs and Exciee, after deducting the Irish contribution to Imperial expenditure. He declared that it was desirable that, during the war, tho police and jtoslal services should remain under Imperial control. Mr. Lloyd George thougnc tho suggested safeguards for Ulster were workable. The Government was prepared to give effect to any of the convention's decisions <m land purchase and housing. After discussing tho main fatures of Mr. Lloyd George's suggestions, the convention agreed to leave the Customs' end Excise with the Imperial Goveriiuiont, provided they were dealt with within seven years after tho war. Tho convantion insisted that an. arrangement should be made for the joint control of police and postal services during the war. It accepted the joint Exchequor Board, but rejected tho-Koyal Commission. The Archbishop of Armagh and tho Provost of Trinity Colloge added a noto opposing tho convention's conclusions ns involving the coercion of Ulster and (ho partition of Ireland.

The report of the sub-committee en defence stated that, assuming , that selfgovernment was granted, it thought it would be impossible to impose compulsory service in Ireland without tho Cβsent of the Irish .Parliament.

Two of the schemes discussed by the convention provided for tho continued representation of Ireland in the Imperial Parliament on lines enabling' the row Irish Constitution to fit into a futiiro complete fcderalisation of the United Kingdom. Several of tho schomee provided for a Central Irish Parliament, with provincial Legislatures; others favoured a single. Legislature with a Provincial Grand Committee consisting of members from each province, ■ empowered with the veto and possibly tho initiative in respect of legislation or octministration so far as <. particular province was concerned. Most of theso schemes claimed full control of taxation, including Customs and Excise. Tho various schemes woro referred to a Grand Committee, which asked Mr. John Redmond tor a dratt for a baeis of discussion. Mr.- Redmond nreforred that this should bo undertaken by a, non-political member, itnd therefore tho Bishop of Raphoo drafted them, and tho draft was referred to a sub-commit-tee, which adopted tho titlo of Senate in preference to that of Houso of rxirds. It was also decided that Unionists should havo a 40 per cent, representation in the Wish Houso of Commons, by including nominated members, this system to con. tinue/for ten years.—Aue.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SINN FEIN A KJLmCAL MENACE London, April It. Tho Ulster Council has issued a statement in which it declares that r.ho report lacks the safeguards of tho previous Home Eulo Bills securing tho supremacy of tho Imperial Parliament. Owing to the growth of Sinn Feinisrn and tho failure of the Nationalists to win recent elections, it is pretty obvious that an Irish general election would place the balance of power in the hands of the party which is preparing, with German assistance and promises of arms, to etriko a blow at tho heart of the Empire, reducing Ireland to the condition of Rus-sia.-The Times."