THE IRISH QUESTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 244, 15 April 1912, Page 5

THE IRISH QUESTION.

THE HOME RULE BILL. THE LIBERALS FIRM. PRESS CRITICISM. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright London, April 12. The Times states that the federalism in the Bill is only an excuse f or the retention of forty-two Irish members, whose function it will be to vote larger subsidies for Ireland. The Senate, nominated first by a Government in alliance with the Nationalists and shortly by the Irish executive, will be a ridiculous protection for tbe Unionist minority. Lobby comments reveal no signs of a Liberal cave.

Sir Clifford Cory, member for Cornwall, intends to vote against the Bill, and two other Liberals are doubtful. The Radicals criticise the nominated Senate, and suggest as an alternative a chamber selected by proportional representation.

(Mr. Samuel, Postmaster-General, will explain the financial provisions on Monday.

The Times states that Mr. Asquitn failed to explain that the Imperial Parliament was really making an annual grant of two millions. The Standard declares that the financial proposals are a combination of muddle and fraud. The net result is that Britain gives the Irish exchequer two millions a year, and Ireland gets the army and navy for less than nothing. The Chronicle says that the complexity of the Bill is a merit, as it shows details, and the details have been well considered. It dislikes the nominated Senate. Colonial experience has shown that it is incompatible with democracy, and it is an objectionable precedent for a reformed Home of Lords. The Daily News states that the Bill is based on large and liberal lines. It regrets that the Irish are not given control of the Customs.

The Westminster Gazette disapproves of the nominated Senate.

THE REVENUE QUESTION. DRASTIC CRITICISM. London, April 12. A member of the House of Commons was convulsed at Mr. Asquith'a admission that savings bank depositors would receive six months' notice to enable them to withdraw their money in the event of the Irish Government assuming control of the bank.

Mr. Asquith stated that if ever Ireland managed to more than pay her way for three years running he would arrange for an Irish contribution to the common expenditure to assist and diminish the two millions deficit.

air. Asquith did not mention the judiciary, but said that it was the Government's intention to safeguard pensions. New judges would be appointed by the Lord-Lieutenant on the Irish executive's advke.

Critics state that the freedom of the Irish Legislature in connection with excise will enable it to confer preference on Irish spirits by reduction of the duty.

The Pall Mall Gazette says that the main effect of the Bill is that England pays without governing, and Ireland gdverns without paying.

The Westminster Gazette says that the Bill firmly unites supporters of the principle of Home Rule.

The Freeman's Journal says that it is the boldest and most generous measure yet introduced.

The Cork Free Press says that as a permanent system the Bill has not solved the Irish problem. The Irish Times declares that the Bill will prove utterly unworkable. It does not offer a middle course between separation and a return to the status of union.

The Irish Independent cannot regard the scheme as final. It gives only threequarters of what was expected.

The Northern Whig (Belfast) says that the Bill is more illogical and complicated than Mr. Gladstone's, and was conceived in fraud.

MVIDED CRITICISM. Received 14, 5.5 p.m. London, April 13. The absence of any reference to general devolution in the preamble of the Bill has been commented on, as it was understood that it would be included a few weeks ago. Many Liberals are prepared to accept the Bill as the beginning of a Federal scheme, but consider the giving of power to vary Customs' and excise will be an obstacle to federalism. If England, Scotland and Wales were similarly invested it would create hopesless confusion. The measure has aroused little enthusiasm in Dublin. Criticism in Irish centres questions the nominated Senate and the financial provisions. A few Nationalists share the Freemans Journal's opinion. The average view is that the Bill is neither bold nor generous. Disappointment is expressed at the refusal of fiscal autonomy. Members of the Sinn Fein reject the Bill with contempt. The Nationalists intend to attempt, in Committee, to secure power to deal with lands purchase. They believe that they will be able to arrange this with the Government. Mr. Keir Bardie, speaking at Banbury, declared that the Government was growing stale. It is doubtful if it will last the two years necessary to carry Home Rule. Mr. O'Brien is calling a convention in the Cork districts in sympathy with his policy, to consider the Bill. SIR JOSEPH WARD'S VIEWS. STRONG APPROVAL OF THE BILL. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Saturday, i Sir Joseph Ward has received ■ a

cablegram "from Mr. Redmond, M.P., asking his opinion of the <Home Rule Bill. Sir Joseph Ward replied as follows: "I strongly approve of th» H :me Rule Bill, which gives proper freedom, with every reasonable safeguard to minorities. It will settle the Irish question, will contribute enormously to the solidarity of the Empire, and increase the. good fellowship of America and the English-speaking world." 'Speaking to a Post representative, Sir Joseph said that he supported Home Rule for Ireland on two broad grounds: First, it was in the 1> . i interests of the Empire as a whole; secondly, it was due to Ireland herself as a matter of common justice. From an Imperial point of view, the Bill was only a recognition of the principle tbat the more you decentralise from Government control what are purely local affairs, the more you add to the efficiency and energy of that Government, and the more you stimulate an active general interest in it. This was independent of that insistent and persistent national de-" sire on the part o r . the Irish people to govern themselves. The one barrier to British Imperial unity was the acute and deep-felt sense of wrong which the withholding of self-government had created in the breasts of the Irish people at home and abroad. More freedom to Ireland meant greater security to the Empire. Resentment felt by Irishmen the world over, notably in America, towards England for keeping Ireland in her present position of subjection, had contributed immensely to prevent that internal amity which was the only permanent basis of international goodwill throughout the English-speaking world.