THE IRISH QUESTION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 271, 13 May 1912, Page 5

THE IRISH QUESTION

THE HOME RULE BILL. FRANK CRITICISM. By Oable—Press Association—Copyright. Received 12, 5.5 p.m. London, May 11. Mr. Carson, speaking at the Nineteen Hundred Club, declared that no compromise was possible on the Home Rule Bill. He never indulged in brag, but if the Home Rule Bill passed ;\;.l Irish loyalty was coerced at the point of the bayonet it would be the worst possible thing for the army, and dangerous for the empire. THE HOME RULE BILL. THE SECOND READING. London, May 10. In the House of Commons the Home Rule Bill was read a second time by 372 votes to 271, after the application of the closure. Sir Clifford Corry (Liberal) voted against the Bill, and* Sir George Kemp (Liberal) abstained from voting. Mr. W. F. Cotton (National) left the hospital, was carried into the lobby, and voted. Two hundred members of the Irish League, with Nationalists and other members of the House of Commons, accorded Mr. Asquith an ovation when he appeared in the Palace Yard. In the course of the debate Mr. Redmond stated that underlying all the arguments against the Bill there was the assumption that all the parties to the new treaty would be animated by a feeling of malice instead of a desire to make the best of things. It would be to Ireland's highest interest to safeguard her constitution and work it with moderation. Mr. Ramsay MacdonaM alluded to his visits to the colonies, where he had seen the healing effects of self-govern-ment. Mr. Bonar Law said that there was no proof that Ulster's opposition would satisfy the Government until thlre had been bloodshed. The Government arrogated to themselves the exclusive right to judge the opinion of the electorates. That was not constitutional but dictatory government. Mr. Asquith said federation was necessary for the whole of the United Kingdom, but the claim of Ireland was paramount. 'ULSTER AND HOME RULE. London, May 10. At the conference of the Nonconformists' Unionist Association in London, the Lord Mayor of Belfast said he did not believe Home Rule would lead to war. If it did, three hundred thousand men would be ready in three days to fight, as their ancestors defended Derry. In the House of Commons Mr. Rothschild gave notice of an amendment to the Home Rule Bill, exempting the counties of Antrim, Armagh, Down and Londonderry from the operation of Home Rule. Several amendments have been given notice of, making the Senate elective on the proportional representation principle. Conferences of Conservatives and Liberal Unionists agreed to amalgamate. The leaders of both parties, including Mr. Joseph Chamberlain, approved of the step.