THE IRISH QUESTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 247, 18 April 1912, Page 5

THE IRISH QUESTION.

THE HOME RULE BILL. By Cable—Presa Association—Copyright London, April 16. Mr. SimcGX, Lord Mayor of Cork, has resigned, owing to criticisms of his, acceptance of the invitation to the Na-' tional Convention, contrary to the resolution of the All-for-Ireland League. The corporation of Belfast "received" Mr. Devlin's invitation to send delegates to the convention. The Lord 'Mayor declined to receive a motion on the subject. The Liberal Unionist Association of Ulster, in a manifesto, says that the Bill confirms Ulster in its stern resolve against being relegated in any circumstances to control by the Irish Parliament. The latter has unrestricted powers under the Bill. IRISH OHiURCH PROTECT. Received 17, 11 p.m. London, April 16. Mr. Redmond has received a congratulatory message from Mr. Gleeson, of New Zealand, who states that N T ew Zealand will, if necessary, subscribe a further £IO,OOO. A special synod 0 f the Irish Church protest against Home Rule arresting the benincent Imperial legislation which is producing the prosperity of Ireland, and appeals to co-religionists to assist in the defeat of the Home Rule Bill. BITTERNESS AND SUSPICION. A LiTNG, EMPTY CALUMNY. Mr. W. IT. Long defied English supporters to say that Home Rule will confer better government on Ireknd. The Bill will strike serioiwp .at Ireland's future prosperity. Tip :. ivernment has done nothing to placat Ulster, but, on the contrary, has done everything to increase bitterness and suspicion. 'Mr. T. O'Conner defended- Catholics against the accusation of intolerance, which, be snid, was an empty, mean, lying calumny. He declared that the Senate would be a powerful Protestant safeguard, and suggested that half the Senators should be nominated by Protestant bodies, with power to veto every appointment where the salary was over £SOO. ULSTER'S OPPOSITION."A VIOLENT, IMPUDENT SPEECH." Received 17, 1-1.55 p.m. London, April 17. In the House of Commons Mr. Bonar Law said that it wan impossible to regard the Bill as final, because it conferred a constitution whereto none of the self-governing colonies would submit for a week. The power of. veto was not exorcised in the colonies, democratic government could not control another. The guarantees were worthless. He would give Ireland, if possible, the same powers as Canada, because then there would be a chance of a friendly Ireland. Under the Bill, whenever thingi went wrong all the blame would be placed on the Imperial restrictions. JL'lie agitation that would thus remain in the Irish Parliament would make it more dangerous than now. Ulster's opposition made Home Rule impossible. He reiterated that the Government was acting against its convictions, because it was dependant on Irish voters. The Prime Minister's debt of honor regarding the reform of the House of Lords must wait till the debts of shame had been paid to Mr. Redmond. The Bill could not be carried without submission to the people. Sir Augustine Birrell said that ,M'r. Bonar Law's speech was violent, and impudent. The Liberals were content with Hhe Prime Minister, and did not envy the Opposition their new leader. THE HILL READ A FIRST TIME. Received IS, 12.5 a.m. London, April 17. In the House of Commons the Home Rule Bill was read a first time bv 360 to 226. Tlie majority comprised 245 Liberals. 70 Laborites, and 8 O'Brienites. Sir C. J. Cory voted against the Bill.' Mr. Agar-Roliartes did not vote.