THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 160, 25 July 1916, Page 5

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

A CRISIS REACHED. NATIONALISTS ’ OPPOSITION. (Received 10.45) LONDON, July 24 The Irish negotiations have reached a crisis. The Nationalists contend that the amending Bill should not go beyond the written agreement made by Lloyd George. They declare that they have received information that the Government’s proposals do go beyond thos ‘ terms. The proposals cannot be accepted . The Nationalists meet to-day when a final decision is expected.

Sir Horace Plunkett lias written an outspoken letter begging Ministers not t<> imperil their existence by attempting to impose upon Ireland a settlement she does not want and will not accept because Sir Edward Carson and Mr Redmond endorsed Mr Lloyd George’s scheme. The British public believes that the Opposition is confined to rebels who want a republic, and mvopic unionists, who will not see that Home Rule is the law of the land. The real opposition to the scheme comes from the great body of moderate Irish J opinion, which accepts the Home Rule .principle, but considers its application at the present juncture would bo mischievous and inopportune. At any open and unfettered convention in any of the four provinces Mr Lloyd George's proposals would simply be howled down, t The scheme has merits. The idea of calling in the statesmen of th e selfgoverning Dominions after the war, to aid in shaping a permanent policy for Ireland was a valuable inspiration, but the rest of the scheme, including the prematur e and unnatural partition of the country and the establishment of an Irish Parliament without consulting the Irish electorate, hopelessly damns it. The Government’s scheme will not get Ireland out of the way; ou the contrary, the scheme would play directly into the hands of the violent section of the Sinn Fein group. The situation demands a provisional—wholly Irish — system of administration formed to \ carry on Irish government for the dur- ‘j ation of the. tynr-i without; prejudice to ft the i for the major problem, $ twhich ihhy bb fothid possible-hereafter; | Such (administration must rest upon the * postulates that Homg Rule is iuevitable ”an<l* that at least as much as’is now! conceded must be absolutely guaranteed to the Nationalists; secondly, Ulster must not and cannot bo coerced.” Sir Horace Plunkett is suite that f|u£b a solution would be accepted, by united Ireland with relief and grat-“’ itude. He bolioygs that,ward Carson and Mr lle&mbnci AvduKLiiow be glad.; to consider any workable alternative to the scheme so embarrassingly put before them on .behalf ak| Cabinet.