IRISH AFFAIRS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3450, 1 April 1920, Page 5

IRISH AFFAIRS.

___.._,,_____ ’ HOME RULE BILL. 2‘ Received 10.10 a.m. ' LON’I3ON, March 31. - The Home Rule Bill second reading was carried by 348 to 94. DISCUSSION IN THE COMMONS. Received 10.15 a.m. (Imperial News Service.) . LONDON, March 31. In the House of Commons the Irish debate was 1-esulmed. Mr ‘Asquith disagreed with the view that order must be restored before constitutional changes could be considered. He exfiressed the opinion that the root of the mischef would not be touched until, by wide reforms in the system of Governemnt, the general co-operatiofi of Irishmen is enlisted in the enforcement of law. He recalled his pledge that the vast niajority of the people of Ireland

should have an Irish Legislature, with an Irish Executive, subject to necesisary safeguards for Imperial suppremacy and protection of the Irish minority. Replying to an interruption by Mr Bonar Law, Mr Asquith said his pledge involved the grant of Parliament to the Whole of‘ Ireland. The Bill was cumbrous, costly, and unworkable, and..not demanded or supported by any section .-of Ireland. He suggested the Home Rule Bill should be retained, but amended. Some of the most vital particulars, for example, the powers of the Irish Parliament and Executive udder the Act, should be enlarged so as to give them practically Dominion status, , though he admitted the geographical contiquity of Ireland made important differences in her position, particularly in a military sense from the position of ‘the Dominions. He also suggested extensive financial adjustments and county option in Ulster. ‘

Mr Bonar Law emphasised that the Government was compelled to introduce a Bill at present, because otherwise the‘Home Rule Act automatical-ly.-comes into‘ operation. Also that Ulster must not be brought under a Dublin Parliament except by her" ovs7n free_ will. The Bill was intended to give Ireland the largest measure of Home Rule compatible with n'ational security and the pledges given. Mr Asquithfs suggestion did not mean Dominion Home Rule, the essence of which was the Dominion’s control of their fighting forces, whereas Mr Asquith proposed to reserve armed forces. The connection. of the Dominions with the Empire depended upon‘ the Dominions, and if anyone choose tomorrow to say, “we’ll no longer remain part of the Empire,i” we should not try to force them. V Dominion Home Rule meant the right to decide their own destiny. Thigl was demanded by the legal representatives of the Irish people, and for Mr Asquith to say he was prepared to give Dominion Home Rule must mean nothing‘ less than he was prepared to give ‘an. Irish Republic. There was 0.0 difference between honestly granting Dominion Home Rule and openly giving self-determination to the elected representatives of Southern Ireland. He challenged the Labonrites to say whether they meant it the elected representatives of Ireland wanted a Republic they would give them a Republic. ROUNDING UP SINN FEINERS.‘ Received 9.10 am. LONDON, March 31. During military raids in Londonderry, Tyrone, and Doncgal, a number of prominent Sinn Feiners were arrested, including Sweeney, member of the House of Commons. Received 10.10 a.nl. LONDON, March 31. There are now seventy Sirm Feiners in Lo-ndonderry gaol. . There has been lately demonstrative singing of relbel songs at windows. The aiithorities, fearing disorder, introduced a strong military guard with machine guns. NEW SINN FEIN MAYOR Ol‘ CORK Received noon. LONDON, March 30. Alderman MeSweeney has been elected Lord Mayor of Cork. He is the Sinn Fein leader who has been deyportcd and imprisoned several times.

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