HOME RULE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 456, 13 April 1912, Page 5

HOME RULE.

POWERS OF PARLIAMENT. THE CARDINAL PRINCIPLE. By Telegraph.—Press Association.—CopjTißlit London, Thursday. There was keen excitement in the House of Commons to-day owing to the introdcutoin of the Home Rule for Ireland Bill by the Premier, Mr Asquith, the terms upon which the Government proposals to grant; autonomy to Ireland being disclosed for the first time. The attendance of members was very large, while in the galleries every seat was Becured for hours beforehand. A SENATE OF FORTY. Mr Asquith, who on rising to deliver his speech on the introduction of the Bill, was greeted with warm cheering by the Liberals and their allies, announced that the proposals of the Government provided for a Senate of 40 members, all of whom would be nominated by the Government, and would hold office for a limited term. LOWER HOUSE OF 164. The Lower House would consist of an Assembly of 164 members, and the distribution of seats gave Ulster a representation cf 59 members, a little over one-third of the total House. The Irish membership in the Imperial Parliament, which now numbers 103, will be reduced to 42. EXCLUSIVE MATTERS. Among the matters excluded from the jurisdiction of the Irish Parliament, said Mr Asquith, were the Crown, Imperial affairs, the navy and army, the Land Purchase Act, old age pensions, national insurance, the constabulary, the post office, the savings bank, and collection of Imperial taxes. The Imperial Parliament retains the power of vetoing or postponing legislation. The cardinal principal is that the Imperial Parliament shall not surrender its supremo authority. NO RELIGIOUS INTERFERENCE. Mr Asquith explained that the Irish Parliament would not be able to endow any religion. There would be no religious (est?. nor interference with the validity of mixed marriages. Jritdi revenue would he collected by tl);< 111111: 'r:11 authorities and transferred to ilie tri«h Parliament with a v icrr.Dt at ihe outset of half a million yearly. Cu:-ionis and excise would be transferred io Ireland with limitations on inert arim; the Customs.