HOME RULE BILL

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 201, 20 May 1920, Page 5

HOME RULE BILL

SECOND CHAMBER IN IRISH - PARLIAMENTS PROPOSED GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS PRINCIPLE < PROTECTION FOR THE MINORITY By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright (Kec. May 20, 1.25 a.m.) London, May 18. Ii the House of Commons, during the discussion on the Home Hulo Bill, Sir Samuel Hoaro moved an amendment to establish a second Chamber in tho Parliaments of both Southern and Northern Ireland. Air. AV. 11. Long said the Government desired to make their proposals part of a Federal plan in which Great Bi'itah and Ireland would participate, tlm central Parliament of which would be in London. The Government .believed tint in tho Federal system the best security for the minority would bo found in a central Parliament. The Government proposed definitely to accept the principle of a second Chamber for etch of the two Irish Parliaments. He emphasised the fact that the second Chamber must be so constituted us to provide real protection for .the ininoritf. Mr. Long pointed out that this would involve a great change in the structuro of the Bill, although the change was absolutely consistent with tho fundamental principle >of the Bill, namelv, the establishment of the Federal system. He pointed out that very difficult questions must first bo considered. For example, whether the second Chamber would be nominated or elected but he undertook that tho Government would later submit a definite scheme. . . , ~ , , r 1 Majoi-Gencral Seely urged that Mr. Long'B proposals be not long delayed. Any delay in handling tho Irish question might, fatally affect relations with America and also with the Empire. Sir Edward Carson deprecated mention of America. (Cheers.) Id was high time that America, or the pretended spokesmen for America, learned to understand that we were still a. great Poire- not subordinate to America or any other great Power. Wo never meddled with exclusively American questions, even for electioneering purposes. Sir Samuel Hoaro then withdrew his amendment. , , The Government opposed an amendment by Lord Robert Cecil providing that North Ireland remain in all rejects part oif the United Kingdom. Tho amendment was rejected by 203 votes to 80. , . , . Air. Clyne's amendment m favour ot the deletion of the essential clause establishing separate Parliaments in North and South Ireland was defeated by 21.1 votes to 61.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assu -Ecuter.