Home Rule.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 191, 10 February 1912, Page 5

Home Rule.

^ —■ —- MR. CHURCHILL AT BELFAST. DEMONSTRATIONS OF PASSIONS. THE BILL OUTLINED. lly Cable—Press Association—Copyright. London, February 8. Mr. Churchill's train reached Belfast, inscribed surreptitionsly, in blood red letters, "No Home Rule," in pouring rain. The crowd at the station booed and cheered. The Orange, crowd carried Mr. Churehfll's effigy on a pole. Lord Londonderry and Sir Edward Carion are at Belfast, taking every precaution to preserve order. . The marquees in the park, where the speeches were delivered, were surrounded by mounted and foot soldiers. The bridges dividing the Nationalist and Orange quarters were strongly guarded. Received 9, 11.20 p.m. London, February 9.

When Mr. Winston Churchill left his hotel, ten thousand gathered in the vicinity, and the constabulary had great difficulty in clearing a passage. The car was almost overturned, and the crowd uttered fearful menaces and imprecations, the whole being a grim demonstration of passion. Mr. Churchill showed no sign of flinching, and took the hostility very calmly. As he entered the Nationalist quarter the scene changed, and his reception was moat remarkable. Benedictions were showered on him from the windows, and not a groan was heard anywhere. Effigies of Lord Londonderry and Sir Edward Carson, labelled "Turncoats!" and "Traitors!" were hanging at various points. The meeting proved peaceful and tame, and rain fell throughout. At the conclusion of the meeting an enormous crowd of Ulstermen awaited Mr. Churchill's return, but by making a detour Mr. Churchill went to the railway station and departed for England. The only interruptions at the meeting came from the suffragettes. Mr. Churchill said that on the eve of the Home Rule Bill the leaders of Irish public opinion had been consulted, but it was the British Government's Bill. The settlement of the long-standing quarrel between England and Ireland would, he said, be a victory worthy to stand with the victories of Trafalgar and Waterloo. TSvery part of the Empire and the United States would applaud its efficiency. The Imperial Parliament demanded a division of local and Imperial affairs. The Government recognised that Ireland stood in a different position to other parts of the kingdom. A measure applicable to Scotland and Wales would not be applicable to the needs of Ireland, but the Irish Home Rule plan would consistently fit the general scheme of Parliamentary devolution and harmonise with the designs for the ultimate federation of the Empire. The Irish Parliament would be so constituted that both the House of Commons and the Senate would be as fairly representative of the Protestants and Catholics, and of minorities even more than majorities. The religious oppression which the Ulstermen feared would not occur. The Crown had power to refuse its assent to an unjust Bill. The Imperial Parliament could repeal or enact another law, 'if a law made by the Irish Parliament transgressed the Home Rule Bill, and the Privy Council would declare it void. All the military forces would remain under Imperial control. The Imperial Government would carry on land purchase and old-age pensions. Irish representation at Westminster would be reduced. V Mr. Redmond, in moving a vote of thanks, said: "I accept every word of the safeguard." PLACATING THE ULSTERMEN. "THE PRIZE OF IRISH PEACE." WHAT THE PAPERS SAY. Received 10, 12.10 a.m. London, February 9. Mc Churchill, during his speech, said the Government was undeterred by financial difficulties, but would give the Irish Parliament a real responsibility in regard to finance, with reasonably wide powers for new taxation. Ulster was in no danger of invidious taxation, and Home Rule would not interrupt the beneficial process of land purchase or old age pensions. The Irish financial system must be consistent with the United Kingdom's finances. Ireland's economic dependence upon England was absolute. The talk of separation was vain and idle chatter. Ha appealed to the Unionists, to overseas Imperialists, and to Ulster itself to win the prize of Irish peace. Let Ulster fight for reconciliation and forgiveness of ancient wrongs. "Then, indeed" (quot; ing Lord Randolph Churchill), "Ulster will fight and Ulster will be right." Mr. Redmond, in moving a vote of thanks to Mr. Churchill, said the moment the Irish Parliament attempted to abuse its powers by inflicting injustice on men because of their creed, it would be the bounden duty of the Imperial Parliament to assert its authority. He believed anti-Homerulers were in a minority in Ulster, in Britain and in the Empire. Homerulers desired a settlement with their Protestant countrymen, and to take their rightful place in the Empire. Ireland had been the one weakness, and would remain the weakness of the Empire until her rights were conceded. Belfast was quiet last night, but elaborate police and military precautions were taken to prevent rowdyism. Sir E. Carson, in a letter to the Unionist Council, congratulated the Ulstermen on the peaceful termination of a provocative situation. The Times declare? there i is general relief at a rash experiment carried out without any serious result, and adds Ulat Mr. Churchill's outline of Home

Rule was faint and "sketchy." It was apparent the Government had not made up their minds on the financial aspect, and the omission of mention of Customs and excise duties was interpreted to mean that the question has not been settled. The Times thinks it is unlikely the Bill will be introduced before the end of the financial year. The Daily Mail says Mr. Churchill's was a brilliant rhetorical performance. He proposed to make Ireland prosperous, happy and loyal at the English taxpayers' expense. The Daily News says the scheme affords the amplest security to Ulster. The Morning Leader says the scheme is safe, simple, and severely businesslike. The Chronicle characterises Home Rule as a scandalous extravagance, and an example of over-officialism.