IRISH HOME RULE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 296, 10 September 1919, Page 7

IRISH HOME RULE

ON THE OVERSEAS MODEL SIR HORACE PLUNKETT'S SCHEME Sir Horace Plunltett's manifesto in favour of Dominion Home Bide was published in the first number of tho "Irish Statesman," a now weekly review which is understood to liavo tho backing of Sir Horace Plunlcett. and others, who think with him. The manifesto, Sir Horaco snys in a covering letter, was drafted by him at the request of representative people. Inter alia tho manifesto says: In recognition of the inherent right of peoples to political and economic freedom, and as tho only possible remedy for the disorder and unrest which disturb the present and darken tho future of our country, we, tho undersigned men and women of heretofore divergent views, have formed ourselves into an association called the Irish Dominion League, to promote tho immediate establishment of self-government for Ireland within tho Empire. Our demand is for a measure of freedom that willtsatisfy our national aspirations, and give full scope for the development of our race in accordance with the promptings of its genius. At the same time we have framed a scheme which wo believe to be possiblo of attainment in existing circumstances.

A Place in the Leaguo of Nations. In tho' status of a self-governing dominion we find all .essential conditions supplied. It recognises our. distinctive nationality, it offers us an equal place in a great commonwealth of free na-. lions, and, our demand once conceded, it will onablo us /to cultivate friendiy relations with them all. We wish Ireland to take her part in guiding tho foreign policy of the' Commonwealth, ami preserving tho world's peace. Hence we claim for her the same place within. to. Loaguo of Nations as tho Dominions overseas, Even if it were politically attainable, which we are sure it is not, wo see no advantage for Ireland in the status of a Republic, but many gravo disadvantages which as a dominion she • would not ha-vo to .experience. As long as-only two voices from Ireland are lieard, tho one demanding sover eign independence, the other demandir"the unthinkable continuance of the existing regime, nothing will be done, It is therefore', the plain duty of every Irishman who does not believe in either of these extreme policies, but who realises the urgent importance of setting up responsible government in Ireland at tho earliest possiblo moment, to do what in him lies. to let the British Parliament and'.people know that ho desires, and is prepared to support a form of government, which has satisfied our countrymen abroad wherever it has been tried.

No "Cutting the Painter." Let us then be clea.r as to what we moan by the political status we claim for Ireland us a self-governing Dominion. Ireland would cease to be represented at Westminster, but sho would be represented, along with tho other self-governing Dominions, in the, League of Nations, and in whatever Imperial Conference, Council, or Parliament ma> at any time bo established. i All Irish legislation would be enacted in Ireland. The Irish' Parliament, through an Irish Executive responsible to it; would have complete control of all internal govern, ment, and would fix, levy, and colle'ot all taxes, including duties of Customs and Excise. i It has been alleged that the Dominion status implies the right to "cut the painter." It implies nothing of the kind. • No portion of the British Empire lias any constitutional right of secession, and, moreover, such is the virtue of constitutional liberty, no fully .self-gov-erning Dominion has ever churned such right. It is true, however, that Canada, and possibly. Australia, if they desired to 6eoede from their present allegiance, would have the physical ability to do so. Other distant Dominions, if their peoples-really desired' separation, might meet with no opposition in the British Parliament, but. in tho'case of self-gov-erning Ireland, even if, as we do not believe possible, a majority wore found desirous of sacrificing its Dominion status in favour of separation, the demand would be foredoomed to failure. ''

The' Ulster Difficulty, Tliere remains the Ulster difficulty, which''compotes with the Eepublican demand as an obstacle to a. settlement. Once we are able to show that a body of Irish opinion, far more widely representative than that,which speaks for the north-east corner, is ready to accept in no spirit'of .hostility to the British peoples—still less to any section of the Irish people—a just and reasonable settlement, tho whole situation will be changed.