FEDERATED BRITAIN

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 243, 2 July 1918, Page 5

FEDERATED BRITAIN

DEPUTATION TO MR. LLOYD GEORGE

DEVOLUTION AND THE IRISH

London. Juno SO. Tho Press Bureau reports (ho proceedings of. a deputation from all parties, exempt (lie Irish, tihicli urged tho case of federal devolution to Mr. Lloyd George. The IViino Minister was accompanied by Mr. G. N. Barnes.

Among the spokesmen of Ihe dopnti--1 ion, Mr. W. A damson (Labour) said that while it was in favour of the devolution proposal;, tlu Labour Party would not, acquiesce in an attempt to establish tho federal form of government being mado an excuse for hanging up Homo Rule for Ireland, 110 believed that unless tho Trish difficulty v. as settled quickly, either there 'vouJd bo a rising in Ireland or in the nehr futuro events would bring other forces , to tho settlement- than two sections of tho British people.

Mr. Lloyd George, in reply, said lie had always been a strong federalist. He realised the impossibility of Parliament dealing adequately With post-war problems if it was simultaneously taxed wi'h local affairs; but it was impossible to carry out such a measure daring (he war without something like general assent. There was no doubt aboafc opinion in Scotland and Wales; but opinion in Ensland was not so clear. That was what really mattered. _ It was really a question for the English constituencies. Other special difficulties included tho question of Ulster, on which tho views of tho deputation vea'o not clear. Ho would not like to predict how far devolution would help to solve the Irish question. The national conscienco must be eased. Both Unionists and Homo Rulers had an uncus/ feeling that the best was not. being dono for tlio country; but if a- sclicme were proposed giving equal treatment for Ireland, England, Scotland, and Wales they could say to tho Irishmen,' "We are giving ,vou exactly what wo ;itc taking ourselves, what is good enough for us' ought to to good enough fo" you." That would satisfy tho Dominions, which were convinced that wo wero treating Ireland clumsily and tactlesslv in. not giving her the freedom which was her due. That was certainly the feeling of America. . Ho had received letters, even in <ho last few days, from prominent pro-English Americans who wrae most unhappy that the Irish question remained unsolved. 1 herefore he was glad that they were promoting a solution which would ultimately eivo satisfaction as fair, 'just, ana busi-nesslike.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.