HOME RULE BILL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 658, 8 April 1914, Page 5

HOME RULE BILL.

SECOND READING CARRIED. DEBATE IN COMMONS. By Telegraph..—Press Association. —Copyrigr&t Received Tuesday, 9.50 p.m. London, Tuesday. The second reading of the Home Rule Bill was carried by 356 to 276. Sir E. Carson said regarding federalism it would not prejudice it whether Ireland should have one unit or

Mr Redmond said the Nationalists would not listen to the suggestion that Ulster should be excluded until the federal scheme Was completely worked out.

Mr Bonar Law declared the two ways to avert calamity were the exclusion of Ulster or an appeal to the country. The Government's bargain with the Nationalists barred either solution. If Sir E. Grey's proposal to renew the conversations was formally made the Opposition would accept it, but it would be useless if Mr Redmond vetoed every Opposition proposal. Mr Bonar Law said after consulta tion with Lord Lansdowne, he offered if the Government put new proposals, and the Bill was carried through the Commons, and obtained the support of the people, so far as Lord Lansdowne was able to speak for the Lords, he will allow the Government to place the Bill on the Statute Book without change or delay, and without depriving the Government of any privileges they enjoy under the Parliament Act. The Opposition would even welcome the temporary exclusion of Ulster by county option; If the proposition was submitted to the House in form it could be discussed. The time limit was so inherently unjußt and absurd that it could not stand discussion, even in the present House of Commons.

Mr Heally said the next election would be fought on the Ulster question. The appeal to the electorates would he "Will you allow the freetraders to have freetrade in blood?" It would have been better for Ireland if the Conservatives had been in office during the last eight years. Mr Birrell shuddered at the very thought of civil war. He didn't ignore the courage and determination of Ulster or their passionate hatred of the Catholics, but it took two to make a quarrel. Ulster must be won ; and her unwillingness could not have been conquered by force. While not shutting the door on any settlement not insisting on proposals in their present form, it was idle for the Government to' : parley for ever with threats of force The Unionists cheered the announcement of the figures. Mr Agar Robartes voted against the O'Brienites. Mr Pirie abstained. Seven Liberals -were unable to secure pairs Sir E. Grey and Mr Lloyd Geo r ge paired. The voters included Samuel Young, aged ninety-three.