IRISH AFFAIRS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 21 March 1907, Page 2

IRISH AFFAIRS.

HOME RULE OPPONENTS. IRISH UXIOXISTS COXSL'LT llli. BALI-OUR. KX-I'REMIER'S ILUXiICAL CONTKNTIOX. lltl.SII UNWORTHY OF TRUST. ! Received March '2O, 0.37 p.m. London, March 20. Lord Abereoru introduced to Jlr. Billfour liftv delegates representing till} ['nionist'organisation in Ireland, urging (lie need of combatting schemes ill the direction of Home Rule. Mr. Balfour justified the Local Oovernment Ael as the outcome of a sound farsightrd Unionist policy. The information he had gathered from all quarters showed that the dominant party in Ireland used it ns a great electoral machine lo promote the Nationalist interest, while community interests were fatullv sacrificed. 'The inference was clear'that those proving unworthy of the trust conferred upon (hem in small nutters could not be given charge of larger.

A IHT'TICR TIRADE. THE ELECTORS DEFRAUDED. (IOYERXMEXT'S DUPLICITY. A BLOW TO THE EMPIRE. Received March 20, 11.20 p.m. London, March 20. Balfour continuing, said the (loverniucnt's policy was u deliberate and intentional fraud upon the electorates. They aimed at a certain object, but, believing the leap required was beyond the will or the strength of the people, they meant to take two steps instead of one, but they meant to get there. Their attitude regarding the House of Lords, he said, disclosed n criminal legislative conspiracy. They. attacked the House of Lords professedly because it amended the Education Bill, which nobody wanted. The real attack was because it was the one barrier preventing the Constitution being thrown in the crucible, after every general election. lie did not believe the electorates hail changed one atom, Tiut. were as determined as ever to resist the ultimate goal so tortuously sought by the Government. 'The Unionists relied on the commonsense anil patriotism of the nation to avert the peril. They knew Home Rule meant the ruin of the great commercial interests of Ulster, and unmerited injury to the loyal minority throughout It meant, lie said iu conclusion, the greatest blow at the prosperity and greatness of the Empire. A SltlX OF THE TIMES.

BRITISH MEMBER JOINS NATIONAL LEAGUE. Lomloii, March 18. Dr. Maenamara, Secretary to the Local Government Hoard, at n St. Patrick's Day celebration at iVckliam, was admitted a member of the Duhvieh Napcr Tandy brunch of the Irish National League of (ireat Britain. This is tho first instance of a Minister joining a militant Irish organisation.