IRISH AFFAIRS.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 24 March 1917, Page 5

IRISH AFFAIRS.

HOME RULE. ANOTHER ATTEMPT AT SOLUTION LONDON, March 22. Mr Bonar Law, speaking in the House of Commons, said that the Government bad decided to make another attempt to solve the Irish cpicstiou. Mr Asquith bad promised to co-operate with the Government. During the second reading of the Consolidation Eund Bill, Mr Bonar Law promised an opportunity for a. debate on the Irish question. Sir H. J. Danziel (Liberal), in moving that it is of supreme importance for the Government to effect a settlement, said that a settlement was necessary in the interests of national unity, and put ourselves to~right with our allies. Inaction strengthened the reactionaries in Ireland. All parties must make great sacrifices, otherwise a solution is impossible. The suggestion of Dominion representatives sitting upon the Commission deserved a trial. Mr ,T. W. Hills (Unionist), in seconding, said that the Irish difference was a source of weakness in the war, and would paralyse us after the wan.

GOVERNMENT ANXIOUS TO FIND A SOLUTION. LONDON, March 22. Mr. Bonar Law, in the House of Commons, said the Government had decided to make another attempt to solve the Irish questioa, and Mr. Asquith promised to co-operate. The second reading of the Consolidated Fund Bill promised an opportunity for an Irisn debate. JSir H.

hi moving that it was of supreme importance that the Government should make an effort at settlement of the problem, said that a settlement was necessary in the interests of national unity, and to put ourselves right with our Allies. Inaction strengthened the reactionaries in Ireland. All parties must make great sacrifices, otherwise a solution would be impossible. The suggestion to appoint a Commission deserved a trial.

Mr. Hills, in seconding the motion, said that the Irish difference was a source of ‘ weakness during the war, and would paralyse us after the war. In the House of Commons, Mr Ronald Macneil said Mr Dillon’s untrue suggestion that Ulsterites were negotiating with German agents was a most serious obstacle for settlement. It would only create discomfort and distrust. He was convinced that the oversea representatives would not touch the Irish question with a barge pole. Ulster was not an obstacle to settlement. She had already made large concessions, whereas the Nationalists had made none. MR, BONAR LAW’S SPEECH.

Mr. Bonar Law welcomed the tone of the debate. He repudiated the idea that he desired a general election There w r as nothing he detested more. He was not thinking of party advantage or the chance of winning the election, but he realised that it was the whole nation’s desire that we should live in peace and friendship with the people of the South and'West of Ireland, if that was possible. The Government had no right to impose Home Rule on Ulster unless Ulster would submit. If the Nationalists openly avowed that they were prepared to act in the same spirit as the British parties, then Mr Bonar Law believed it would be easier to make an arrangement with Ulster. The present position was a “blemish on our statesmanship, but it was not all the statesmen’s fault. He believed that England desired to act justly with Ireland. The Government wanted a settlement, but sacrifices were necessary on all sides to achieve it. The Irish question acted as a handicap on carrying on the war. If we made another attempt and failed the position would be worse. That made him hesitate. The Government had decided on its own responsibility in some way or other to make another attempt at settlement. (Loud cheers). “The House,” continued Mr Bonar Law, ‘knows the difficulties. I hope it will not press for a fuller statement notv, but give the Government a little time for consideration. We think it worth while to make an attempt, whether it succeeds or fails.”

Mr. Asquith said. I think I may express, on behalf of the whole House, satisfaction at Mr. Bonar Law’s announcement. I think it better to make an attempt and fail than not to make it at all. The Government will realise it will have the sympathy and active co-operation of all of us.

Sir R. Dalziell’s motion was negatived and the Bill read a second time. Mr .Ronald Macneill said the Dominion statesmen were already deeply committed to Home Rul e by their Parliament’s resolutions. They could not approach the problem impartially.

Mr Hamar Greenwood said it would be an acknowledgement of incapacity to ask the Dominion Ministers to shoulder the responsibility.

SIR JOSEPH WARD’S VIEWS. LONDON, March 22. Speaking at the National Liberal Club, Sir Joseph Ward referred to the Irish question. He quoted Mr Bonar Law’s statement in the House of Commons on the loth, that if a new method could bo found for healing this old sore, it would be one of the best things for the Empire. Sir Joseph Ward declared that in the interest not of the Empire alone, but of the world’s civilisation, the question called for prompt settlement. It was a running dangcous sore at the heart of the Empire and extended to countries far beyond. It should be healed without delay. He was convinced tliat an effective and lasting settlement could be made. No effort should be spared to bring the parties together and establish an Irish Parliament with full local autonomy. Such a course was essential to more closely unify the Empire and help win the war.