IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 141, 1 November 1912, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

THE IRISH SENATE. By Gable—Press Association—Copyright. London, October 30. In the House of Commons, Sir E. Carson, discussing an amendment to abolish the Lord Lieutenant's vote, said that he did not fear grossly unjust legislation by the Irish Parliament What he feared was unjust administration by connivance a? foul play, or refusing to set the law in motion and protect minorities. The Prime Minister announced, on clause S, dealing with the Senate, that the Government had determined that it was best for the Imperial Parliament to nominate the first Senate, with representation of the minority, afterwards applying the principle of proportional representation to the recruitment of the Senate.

Received 31, 11.35 p.m.

London, October 31

The Government proposes that the first Irish Senate shall serve for a quinquennium, and the election thereafter be on a basis of proportional representation, Ulster to have 14 Senators, Leinster 11, Munster 9, and Connaught 0. The Irish Unionists are dissatisfied, and contend that if all the Senators are Unionists they will be hopelessly outnumbered in joint sittings. Mr. Ramsay McDonald declares that the experiment is a mistake. If proportional representation is justified it ought to be applicable to the first Senate.