THE HOME RULE QUESTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 201, 22 February 1912, Page 5

THE HOME RULE QUESTION.

AIMS OF A BOYS' ORGANISATION. TEE FIRST USE OF THE PARLIAMENTARY ACT. 11 v Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Received 21, 9.30 p.m. London, February 21. Mr. Bin-ell, Secretary for Ireland, in reply to a question in the House of Commons, admitted the existence of Nationalist Boy Scouts, pledged to work for Ireland's independence and never to join English armed forces. Asked whether he would suppress such a disloyal association, Mr. Birrell replied that he did not think he should begin with the boyß. In reply to a question Colonel Seely stated that the cost of the troops utilised in connection with Mr. Churchill's Belfast speech was £2700.

Mr. Chamberlain declared that the Government were unable to reform the Lords until Home Rule was passed. He reminded the Liberals that when they had a majority in 1906, independent of the Irish Party, the Cabinet bound themselves not to present Home Rule.

Mr. Asquith replied that the only definite statement regarding tie time of the reform of the House of Lords was that they would carry it out during the present Parliament. Everybody knew that the first use of the Parliament Act would be to carry Home Rule.

CENSURE MOTION FAILS. Received 22, 12.30 a.m. London, February 21. Mr. Asquith continued that, the proper time for the reconstruction of the House of Lords was after Ireland had been given freedom to deal with its own affairs on lines, which in the main were adaptable to other parts of the kingdom. It was expedient to delay until they knew the form constitutional development would take. They would then bo better able to deal with the problem of a second chamber. He appealed to the House to develop a system for the self-government of Ireland on broad democratic lines.

Mr. Bonar Law declared that the granting of Home Rule was fraught with danger to two great democratic powers, who would not work side by side without friction. The country's interests might in war time be fatally endangered. He intended to maintain in Parliament his Albert Hall charges, and an additional one that public meetings in connection with the Insurance Bill were paid for by public money. The Liberals, during the quarter of a century, had never taken up Home Rule, except when dependent upoa the Irish vote. Lord TJre said the question raised was whether a second chamber would have the power to force an appeal to the country. The Government declared the House of Commons must be supreme, and would in due time pass a measure establishing n second chamber on an elective liU.his.

Mr. Smith's motion was negatived by 324 to 231. Sixty Nationalists and also Laborite voted for the Government, two Liberate abstained, and tlniro were 3" pairs.