THE HOME RULE BILL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 215, 30 January 1913, Page 5

THE HOME RULE BILL.

DEBATE IX THE LORDS. By Cable—Press Association-Copyright. London. January 24 Earl Grey, in the House of Lords, «nd that as a convinced Federalist, he •was strongly opposed to the Home Rule tßill. He preferred that Ulstermen in the North-east be given self-govern-ment similar to that prevailing in Ontario. The Nationalists in the West «id South should have the same rights as the men of Quebec. It was imperative in the Empire's interests that the question be settled on lines satisfying to the democracies in the self-govern-•Mg Dominion and the United States. Lord Dunraven said the Bill was incompatible with federation, and imposed no adequate check on the Order oi Hibernians. THE DEBATE IN THE LORDS. Received 30, 12.25 a.m. London, January 29. . Lord St. Ahlwyn, speaking on the Bill. said that it did not place the Irish Go verirment in a position of self-reliance. The expenditure was certain to rise, while the revenue would diminish. No one in Ireland approved of the financial provisions. It was utterly impossible to fulfil the roseate Nationalist cxpectations, which the advent of Home Rule had aroused. It was impossible to raise the extra taxation, because of the fact .that Ireland was already overtaxed. This was dinned into every Irishman's ears, and consequently fresh discontent would arise. Ireland would lose the advantage of Imperial credit, and pay a higher rate for loans than hitherto. The real reason of the retention of forty-two members at Westminster was so that they could act in concert in raiding the British Treasury. Their a ;ipport would J« open at prices corresponding to the British Government's needs. It was a temptation to the Irish Government not to effect economics lest it should bring nearer a financial revision when Ireland would be asked to contribute to the Imperial expenditure. The Bill was framed not to work but to pass.

, Mr. Haldane said that he T-s as sank ' guine of the beneficial results ol the Bill as Lord St. Aldwyn was pessimistic and gloomy. Sir E. Grey's Canadian , analogy could not be applied to Ireland. , The theory was that the Bill was a true devolution, as distinct from a true feder- ; ation. It was necessary to retain representation at Westminster to give reality to the claim of an Imperial Parliament.