GREAT SCENE IN COMMONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 March 1917, Page 2

GREAT SCENE IN COMMONS.

Mr Redmond’s Charge. Nationalists Leave in Body. (Australian & N Z. Cable Association and Reuter.) (Received March 9, at 8.50 a.m.) London, March 8 Iu the Commons, Mr Redmond said the Prime Minister’s pronouncement would have a very bad effect in nem. .ral countriep, and would take the heart out of Irishmen fighting at the front. The position in Ireland was serious. There were men there with influence and money who had combined in the enterprise of smashing the constitutional movement.

Hon Lloyd George was playing into their hands. He would have to govern Ireland with a naked sword. When the Natiopalist leaders attempted to effect a settlement in July, they took their political lives into their own hands and they had been betrayed. Government should have brought forward proposals acceptable to the whole of Ireland. >

An Ulster Unionist interjected— What do yon mean ?

Mr Redmond—What I mean is—,Pat the Home Rule Act into operation with such additions and amendments as time and altered circum-

stances render necessary. Concluding, he said this debate necessitates a reconsideration of our position. It is absolutely futile for my colleagues and myself to continue the debate. Therefore I appeal to my colleagues to let the House do what it likes with the resolution and amendment. (Loud Nationalist cheers.)

I ask them not io remain to continue the futile humiliating debate, but to withdraw and take counsel with me a 3 to the next step I shall take. -The dramatic statement was delivered in passionate tones. The Nationalists were greatly excited and cheered to the echo, when he left his seat. Some Nationalists angrily shook their fist at the Treasury bench. A voisß was heard above the dia shouting—“ Hangman, Carson. He is only fit to be a hangman, instead of First Lord of the Admiralty.” The scene was tho most exclticg since the war broke out, and caused an immense seDßatiou. Mr Wardle regretted that the Nationalists had left tha Housa without awaiting tho result of their own motion. He urged Government to find a way out of the present impasse.

Sir Henry Dalziel said the situation could not be left as it was. He asked whether Hon Lloyd George supported, or opposed Mr Asquith’s suggestion.

In order to enable him to make a statement, ha moved the adjournment.

Hon Lloyd George said Government could tot bring in a Bill in the middle of the war, whsn there was no guarantee that it would bo acceptable to auy party. It was the duty of the Nationalists to say whether they really meant to oppose the measure.

Until the Nationalists indicated thia > it would be folly for the War Cabinet to introduce auch a highly controversial Bill. Strong Words(Received Mareh 9, at 11.45 a.m.) London, March 8

Mr Redmond, in the course of his \ Bpeeoh, said the Govern orient had raised in Ireland au issue which must be faced and decided. Ha would.be glad to 88e it decided by every constituency in Ireland tc-morrow. The great issue was whether Ireland would still rely on constitutional aetioD, or would raver to the methods and ideals of revolution.

Some men so bitterly hated Home Rule that they would God speed revolution. If the constitutional movemeat disappeared, Hou Lloyd George would be forced to govern Ireland with the naked sword.

HON LLOYO GEORGE EXPLAINS

The Only Possible Course

(Received March 9, at 11 a.m.) London, M.aroh 8

In the Commons debate, Hon Lloyd George said Mr Redmond had evidently misunderstood him. He had clearly stated that Home Rule would be granted to any part clearly demanding it, but Government could not enforce it where it was repugnant. There were two ways of Battling details, either by a conference of Irishmen, or a commission of praotically the same character as mentioned by Mr Asquith. It bad been suggested that we should bring in p. Bill on that basis, but we cannot, in the middle of a great war, bring in a Bill which may not be acceptable to any section, until the Nationalists indicated their attitude, Tlie Only Alternative. London, March 8 Mr O’Connor concluded his speech by aaying that there were only two alternative?, dealing with Ireland by settlement, or by coercion. A majority of the same men in Britain believed that a settlement was necessary, bnt the failure of last Bummer’s negotiations were regarded in Ireland as a breach of a sclemn compact, such as had brought England into the wav.. Government broke that compact, and

the Itish drew the conclusion that England now, as &ver, was perfidious England.

Mr Daziel withdrew his motion and the discussion was resumed.

Mr Guest cjueiiered' the Nationalists withdrawal would gravely our c.nduct of the war moat in the eyes of tbs world. He hoped Government would try a settlement along the lines of Mr Asquith’s suggestion. Nationalists Adjourn Decision. (Received March 9, at 11.45 a.m.) / London, Merch 8 Immediately following their dramatic wiihdrawal, the Nationalists met in their Committee mim. The proceedings were brief and there was no decision. Ihe djscussion was adjourned till Tbur.-day ao noon. The result is awaited with the ut« most interest. Mr Redmond who was obvionely scffeiing from the effects of his illness, spoke with much d.fficuliy. Members of all patties extended their sympathy. The lobby animatedly discussed the development. There is an opinion in some quarters that a settlement is improbable, in view of the present tone. The Leader of the Nationalists expects that no progress will be achieved uutil the whole question brought np for impartial consideration at the Im. perial Conference. Press Comment. London, March 8

The Daily Chronicle, in a leader, says if all parties were willing last summer to accept a settlement on the lines of Hon Lloyd George’s announcement, it would have been settled then. It is too late now. Hon Lloyd George knows it, and knows ho is offering what the Nationalists cannot accept, because Ireland will not, The National withdrawal emphasises, not unjustifiably, the barrenness of the Governmeut’s.attitude. The real blame lies with last summer’s wreck. Another View. London, March 9 The Morning Post's Parliamentary correspondent says Mr Asquith’s suggestion of inviting the Dominions’ representatives assistance, has not met with practical response from the Nationalists. There is no ground for believing that Mr Asquith consulted the Dominion representatives before his Bpeech. There ia reason to believe that they are unwilling to be drawn, into British domestic politics. In the> critioal stage of the war, arguments infavor of such au attitude would be irreputable. Mr Healy’s Criticism.

(Received March 9, at 11.20 a.m.) London, March 8

In the Commons, Mr Healy said though an opponent of Mr Redmond, he' considered the Emyire owed Mr Redmond a debt cf gratitude. If the War Office bad token his advice the would have had 200,000 to 300, troqps, when the rebellion elp'tHents appeared.

He taunted Mr Redmond with arranging a play aoting- coup by quitting the Houss. Me ought to provide somePjing better, Neither he nor guy Nationalists had offered the baud to Ulster since Binca 1913. Instead they poohooect suggestion for a Battlement. Homs Rule for Ireland would take his excursion from home at the proper measure. She deserved, after thirty years, something better than a dramatic skedaddle from the House."' Instead of bringing: Hon W. Churchill’s Hottentot niggers from Africa,. England ought to try to win Ireland! and America to its side in the war. Th 9 debate was adjourned. Man Power Problems(Received March 9, at 11.20 a.m.) i London, Marsh 8-

A vigorous demand has been made? in newspaper circles, favourable ibf Government, for the more effective handling of mac power problems. It ta asserted that cbeoa exists in reference to the rival claims of Army industry and other services, especially agriculture. It is asserted to clear the guiding principles of oumberous mathodp, that lack of organisation and leadership is causing the whole soheme of national service to drift into a muddle. The Morning Post' advises Hon L’.oyd George to appoint a deputy Premier who shall b 9 wholly occupied; in administrative duties, leaving thePremier only the actual conduct of thewar. It considers it is too much toexpect the Premier to attend to even. Imperial problems such as the Imperial Conference will deal with.

Indian Ocean Raider. (Received March 9, at 10.25 a.m.) Melbourne March 9 Mr Boyd, referring to the raider, asked Mr Hughes was the British Government prohibiting the Commonwealth from publishing anything relating to the losses of ships, although they were published in England. Mr Hughes replied that here and there, there was an apparent inconsistency, but the Commonwealth had asked how far the Government could disclose losses in Australian. waters.

German Plot in Peru. Washington, March 8 Germans sought to involve the officers and men of the Peruvian Navy in plots to raid Allied commerce in the Pacific Ocean. The British warships seized the German agent on the high seas in January and discovered Peruvian officers were preparing to utilise two submarines to raid commerce. The German agent extensively bribed the Peruvians and sought to establish a eerias of submarine bases along the Peruvian coast. The information was bauded over to Peru and the culprits were arrested. Thereafter, United States was informed. Empire Council, - (United Service.—Copyr'ght.) (Received March 9, at 9.20 a.m.) London March 8 Another interesting political movement is proceeding headed by Mr Guest, a Commoner, providing for the extension of the Empire Council, by giving the Dominion representatives, inoluding General Smute, representations at the open Executive War Council, for the period of the war, enabling the Dominion representatives to daily discuss and advise on the policy of the conduct of operations. Mr Massey and Sir J. G. Ward are favourable. WOLFE'S SCHNAPP3 Possesses peculiar medical virtues.