IRISH AFFAIRS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2087, 23 May 1907, Page 2

IRISH AFFAIRS.

MR. BIRRELL’S BILL CONDEMNED.

THE HOME RULE QUESTION

Press Association—Copyright. Received May 22, 10.38 p.m. LONDON, May 22,

Presiding at the Irish National Convention, the attendance numbering 3000, Mr. John Redmond moved a resolution, which was unanimously and enthusiastically adopted, in favor of rejecting Mr. BirreH’s Administrative Council Bill, and urging the Nationalist Commoners to press for the establishment of a native Parliament, with responsible executive power over all purely Irish affairs.

Mr. Redmond declared that he would not say this was an unworkable Bill entirely until it had been printed. Bad as it was, it was not so utterly b/d as Lord Dunraven’s scheme; but the Liberals must once and for all abandon the Roseberyite idea of settling tho question. He described the Bill as utterly inadequate in scope and unsatisfactory in details. He also repudiated any attempts to settle the Irish problem by half measures. He justified his recent attitude on tho ground that he was aware that in this Parliament they could not get a pure Home Rule Bill. Hence, he promised that whatever scheme short of that was advanced would be considered calmly on its merits. He added: “You are masters with reference to this Bill if you are as I feel. If iimproves unworkable its failure will, be used as an argument against the Irishman’s capacity for self-government. Tho Liberals must revert to Gladstone’s standard. People sometimes talk of wliat is called an alliance between the Irish and tho Liberal parties. Our party is independent. It is in alliance with no English party which fails to put full Home Rul/fe in the front of its programme. Ireland is strong enough, if she chooses, to compel .an early settlement.” He - appealed for unity in order to show that they wero resolved to achieve their rights. They had better wait a generation than accept a measure which would lead to disaster and disgrace.

Mr. O’Callaghau, secretary of the Irish National League of America, declared that the decision of the convention would he the decision of the Irish in America. They in America would cheer and encourage them if Irish sentiment was once again driven into hostile activity against England and the English Government. The task of Mr. Bryce, the British Ambassador in America, would not be facilitated os a result of this miserable Bill.

Messrs. T. P. O’Connor, Devlin, and others urged a stronger and more united movement in the future. The Convention instructed the Parliamentary party to press for immediate legislation on the lines of Mr. Bryce’s University scheme; for an amended land bill, and compulsory reinstatement of evicted tenants.