THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 March 1917, Page 1

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Discussed in Commons. Liovtl George’s Attitude Denounced by Kationaiiits(Austnilan &N.Z. Cable Association) LONDON, March V. l'n'the House of Commons Mr T. P. O’Connon moved “that with the view of strengthening the hands of the Allies in achieving recognition. of the equal rights of small nations and the principle of militarism and Government without the consent of the governed tkliat it is essential to immediately confer upon Ireland the free institution which the Hon. Long .had promised her.” He appealed to the House to make a united and genuine effort to settle the Irish question. LONDON, March 7. Mr. O’Connor said that the matter in which the Government had dealt with with the Government had dealt with the Irish rebellion had transformed a friendly people into one filled with bitter hatred and many Nationalists had joined the ranks of the Sinn Feiners. Homo Hide should be put into operation forthwith for the sake of Ireland and in the interests of the British Empire and the Allies. Mr. W. Redmond appealed for the obliteration of old animosities between the North and the South and appealed to Sir Edward Carson to rise to the demands of the situation and work with the Nationalists for the better Government of Ireland. Mr. Lloyd George who was loudly cheered said that any settlement acceptable to the .Irish as a whole would be welcomed with delight by the United Kingdom. He grieved that some means could not be found to bring about a United Ireland in the interests of the Empire. Mr. Lloyd George said the present Government did not depart from tho attitude taken up by their predecessors and there must be no attempt to settle the question in a manner which would provoke any disturbance in one part of the United Kingdom divided from the rest, by two warring factions. The discontent in Ireland was not a material one, but the indisputable fact remained that after all her record of beueficient legislation and material prosperity Ireland was no more reconciled to British rule than in the days of Cromwell. To place Ulster under Nationalists rule against her will would be as glaring an outrage on liberty and selfgovernment, as the denial of self-gov-ernment .to tlie rest of Ireland. Mr. Lloyd George said tho Government was prepared to confer self-gov-ernment on any part of Ireland which unmistakeably demanded it, (cheers), but tho Government and the people of Britain were not prepared to force a portion of the north-eastern corner to submit to be governed by a population with which they were completely out of sympathy. He quoted extracts from Mr. Asquith’s speeches showing that the employment of force to coerce Ulster was absolutely unthinkable. Irishmen could at any time, with the substantial consent of all parties secure. self-government for that part of the country which demands it by an unmistakoable voice, but no party could afford to demand that Ulster should be forced inlo the settlement. •Mr. Dillon interjected, “this means you are trying to back out of Home Hide.” Air. Lloyd George: “that is not true and the Hon. gentleman knows it: I have not deviated one hairs breadth from the line taken for the last five or six years regarding Ulster. Neither Mr. Asquith nor myself contemplates the coercion of Ulster, which would mean the permanent, division of Ireland. On the other hand I believe that e. frank acceptance of tho position bv Ulster can only be brought in when she expresses her willingness to come, which is a hundred times more likely to achieve a United Ireland than if there was cocrciin. I believe ultimately and at no distant date that Ulster will come in. Air. T. P. O’Connor’s motion was an invitation to the Commons ,to join in a ( united genuine effort to settle the Irish . question and lie did not indicate any ' change in the attitude of the Nationalist Fury towards the war. ( To every student of Irish history it

was impossible sto imagine that Britain, which was fighting for the, rights of small nationalities, could ho so inconsistent and unjust as to dciiv this right to Ireland. The formation of a Coalition Government gave the Nationalists the impression that their political opponent's had triumphed, and that Home Hide would never be allowed to become law. Mr Llyod George proposed an amendment welcoming any settlement of the Irish problem, but that it was impossible .to force Ulster to accept Home Itule without Ulster’s consent. He said the Government was prepared to give the rest of Ireland Home Rule forthwith, and he suggested a conference of Irishmen to settle details Mr Asquith suggested that the services of the Oversea statesmen in London should be utilised as an impartial authority to adjust all interests, thendecision to be subject to Parliament s approval. Mr 'Lloyd George promised to consider this. Mr Redmond said lie had listened to Mr Lloyd George’s speech with -iJie deepest pain, and it was absolutely futile to continue the debate. He asked the Natonalist Party to withdraw to take counsel as to thennext step. Then Mr Redmond led the whole . Party out cf the House amidst great

Nationalist cheering, and opprobious epithets against the Government benches. The War Cain r et. LONDON, March 7. . In the House of Commons, Mr 'Kinloch Cook asked whether the Government intended to hold a series of Imperial War Cabinets, and would they be continuous. Air Boiiar Law said tho Imperial War Cabinet meets in the near future, but until the delegates arrive lie could not answer this point. Hon Air Alaepherson on being questioned did not admit!, that the Germans had downed eighteen of our aerial aeroplanes in one clay. M ASTERS OF THE. MR. ON THE WEST FRONT. Air. Dalzicl: “Can you assure the Bouse that we have the mastery of the air on the West front.” Air MacPhcrson: “I think I can.” / In Greece LONDON, March Mr. A. J. Balfour stated that the evacuation of troops find artillery from the north of Greece was proceeding satisfactorily, but certain demands will not be fulfilled. About six thousand regulars and three thousand gendarmerie are still north of Peloponessus. The Greek Government lias released the Venizelists and promised to abandon proceedings against them.