HOME RULK.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 December 1919, Page 3

HOME RULK.

(Bj Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) f AUhTB/VLIiN &■ N.z. OAIICB ASSOCIATION, PRIME MINISTER PLEADS. VReceived This Day at 11.15 LONDON, December 22. •Hon. Lloyd George said it wa s not proposed to retain control of the police in imperial hands, beyond three years, while security would be given to all f members of police force and civil post office that they would not he transferrel until Jboth parts of Ireland were united those concerned were asking for change. There would also be clauses for the protection of minorities. .Dealing with finance, Mr Lloyd George declared the absence of a provision in the 1914 bill for a contribution towards the maintenance of the i Empire was a Supreme injustice to the f taxpayers of Britain. Government proposed to give the Irish Governments the whole advantage of those taxes raised in Ireland in excess of a fair contribution to the Imperial services. Thus the revenue of Ireland in 1918-1 d was £41,428,000 and expenditure £23,500,000. Therefore therd had been a contribution of eighteen millions towarls the Imperial expenditure, which included war pensions. Each Parliament would be granted one million to cover the initial expenditure, while the proceed of land annuities woUll be handed over also, as a free gift to Ireland, totalilng three millions. Two Parlia- ' meats would have taxation powers similar to American States. Income tax, super tax, excess profits, customs and excise would be collected by the Imperial authorities, but when Ireland became united, the Imperial Government would consider whether the Customs

. 'shoull be handed over. ) . In the Commons, concluding, the Prime Minister pleaded for the closing of the chapter of mistakes, follies and crimes op both sides. The question now was not who was blameworthy, but how to set it right. It was important that both countries should realise how thoroughly the limitations of acceptance Unless Ireland had real control of their i purely domestic affairs, it was Ml® 4o proceed 1 . On the other hand Britain eajnnot adcept separation, Men who thought Britain could be compelled by force to concede anything unjust to her own people or fatal to her owil life and security could not have read the story of the last five years. This - was not tho time when anyone could Suspect Britain .of conceding from weakness. Would anyone taunt the laud that had' destroyed the greatest military empire of the world largely by its own power, that it was simply quailing before a band of wretched assassins. The world would know Britain was entering upon a scheme prompted by a • deep sense of justice, which sustained the land through these last years of sacrifice,