THE IRISH QUESTION.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 October 1917, Page 3

THE IRISH QUESTION.

--'( MOTION BY MR. REDMOND

DISCUSSION IN COMMON'S

LON DON, . October 23. In the House of Commons Mr. Redmond moved a resolution deploring the Irish Executive’s policy, also the Irish Military policy, especially in view of t-lio neecssity for creating an atmosphere favourable to the Convention. ■ MR. REDMOND SPEAKS. Mr. Redmond said the Irish situation was extremely grave and only the success of the Convention would prevent- a period of chaos and anarchy unprecedented for a century. The existing policy -was the greatest danger to the Convention. It was widely believed in Ireland that certain pejopK in England would gladly sec the Convention destroyed hoping that Irelands last hope of

self-Governmont would perish in the resultant anarchy, and perhaps bloodshed. He acquitted the Irish Unionists for the responsibility for this condition of. affairs.

Tlio Convention’* proceediin;gs had

been without any bitterness and the discussions had now reached a critical stage. Many of the authorities acts wore nrovocations, irritating and causing the growth of Sinn Foinism. He moved the motion In order to urge Mr. H. "A. Duke, Chiel Secretary for Ireland to exercise his controlling power. HON. n. E. DUKE.

The Rt. Hon 11. E. Duke replied that every act and policy were justified, otherwise order would not have been maintained. The Government’s one desire was to create an atmosphere of good will. He pointed to Ireland’s present prosperity and practical immunity from the misery afflicting tlio rest of the world: yet- tlio Empire’s avowed enemies had enrolled two hundred thousand young Irsihmcn in order to create a rebellion. Parliament with unprecedented magnanumity considered tlmti uinti;i Trel-and received the promised self-Gove!rnment it had not- the right to force conscription, The Sinn Feiners had declined to participate in tile Convention, hut there had been a hurricane fire of rebel oratory throughout the country. There had also been a steady organisation in every parish of the new rebel force, who had been told there was a considerable quantity of arms ready, and more for them when the fatal day comes. Whence came Hiese arms? The helping hand which brought about the. rebellion of 1910 was Germany’s. When it became necessary in February to deport those engaged in conspiring, it was because Germany’s hand was again held out and the Government knew it. i

The Government could not ignore the organisations of tihis volunteer feroe or its declared purpose. The SinltFein leaders alimed to defeatthe Convention.

Mr. Asquith said lie hoped that nothing would ho done to defeat the Convention. \

HON. LLOYD GEORGE.

Mr. Lloyd George said the situation in Ireland was most difficult and most delicate. Mr. Duke had striven his utmost to avoid any provocation which wcfuld endanger the usefulness of the Convention. De Valera’s spedoltos were! cold-blooded (incitements to rebellion and it was essential that the Government should give a closer indication t-liat it would not allow sucli speeches to he repeated. 'Germany onoo neariy. succeeded in landing arms in" Ireland to aid a rebel-

lion. The Government L'new of arrangements being made for Germany to land arms again from America. There had been a deliberate attempt to enlist, enrol, and organise hundreds of thousands of young Irishmen preparatory to the rebellion. If they had been Englishmen they would have been compulsorily enlisted in the Armv.

Tho Sinn Feiners idea of Home Rule was not Self-Government hut a complete secession from England and wo could not possibly agree r>

that. (Cheers). He was willing to give an’ understanding if the Convention arrived at a substantial agreement, that the Government would use Its whole power to translate the agreement into an Act- of Parliament. Such a Bill would he transferred he thought immediately.

M!r.t Dillon interjected!:—!“This is very important. Will the Prime Minister pledge the Government that immediately the Convention comes to an agreement, it will embody it in a Bill and pass it through Parliament as soon as possible?” Mr. Lloyd George': “GortaJinly. This has always been the Government’s intention.” THE MOTION DEFEATED.z

Mr. John "Redmond’s motion wa.° defeated by 211 votes to 78.