British Politics

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 192, 12 February 1914, Page 5

British Politics

PARLIAMENT OPENED BY THE KING. fclOssio.VS PROGRAMME OUTLINED. THE HOME RULE QUESTION. 0 PRIME MINISTER'S STATEMENT. Ity (_;iblc—Press Association—Copyright London, February 10. King- George and Queen Mary opened in state. It was a fine day. The King's speech regretted the unsuccessful efforts to solve the Hone Kulc problem by agreement. It expressed the, hope that in dealing with "Ilie matter in which the hopes and fears of so many are keenly concerned, and which, unless handled now with foresight, judgment and a spirit of *~ mutual concession, threatened grave future difficulties, the co-operation of ell 'parties and creeds would secure a last'insr settlement.. Proposals would he submitted to reconstitute the Second Chamber. Measures would be introduced to deal with industrial and agricultural bousing, Imperial naturalisation, the development of national education, ■and to I give effect to the recommendation of the conferenco on safety at sea. The speech referred to the friendly -foreign relations and the approaching visit of the King arid Queen to President Poincarc. It stated that satisfactory negotiations were proceeding -/- —With Germany and Turkey regarding industrial and commercial interests in Mesopotamia arid the Persian Gulf. MB. LONG'S AMENDMENT. THREATENED WITH CIVIL WAR. SUGGESTIONS TO BE SUBMITTED. London, February 10. Mr. W. H. Long, in moving an amendment to the Address-in-Rcply, declared that the United Kingdom was for the 'first time for centuries threatened with civil war. A hundred thousand Ulstermen were determined at the cost of their lives to resist the Home Rule Bill. Bloodshed had been avoided only by Sir R Carson's resolute and brave leader»hi|). He asked whether the Government was sure the struggle would be -confined to Ireland. The Government's not daring to interfere in South Africa at the present moment showed how idle | was the Imperial Parliament's boasted supremacy. He urged the Premier to pause and consult the electorates. It would be a crime of the first magnitude to shoot down the people of Ulster. x

Mr Asquith replied that it was known prior to the 1910 election that the.Parliament Act would be nsed.to carry the Bill. The question could be settled better by an agreement than by a dissolution. Referring to his conversations with Mr. Bonar Law, he said he did not despair of the possibility of a settloniMit, and would use no k't word regarding the matter. After remarking that there was no•tliing the Covernment would not do, w'th the ..fundamental principles of the Bill, to avoid civil war, the Piemier concluded by announcing that the Government without delay would submit to the House suggestions which would be honestly put forward. Sir Horace Plunkctt, after eomfiflential interviews with the Ulster leaders, ipioposes that Protestant Ulster should accept the Home Rule Bill on condition that a plebiscite decide at the end of a fixed period whether to continue subject to the Irish Parliament; also that Ulster volunteers should be given an opportunity to organise as a Territorial force, thus preserving an ultimate safeguard on which to rely for the preservation of its liberties.

SPEECH BY MR. LONG. LOGICAL STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER. Received 11, 11.45 p.m. London. February 11. In the House of Commons, Mr. TV. H. Long, in a speech marked by sincerity and earnestness. rleniwl the Unionists were sowing disloyalty in tile army, though it was true there was great anxiety that many soldiers would ] send in their commissions rather than fight Ulster. He asked if the defensive forces were so strong that the Government was prepared to run this great risk. The Government should produce its proposals without delay. There was no justification for prolonging the terrible agony of the Irish people. Mr. Asquith had a great reception. He declared the recent by-elections indicated no change in regard to Home Rule. A dissolution would be useless, *nd would reduce the Parliament Act to a nullity or might result in a condition of stalemate. If the Opposition were victorious, they would have to face the problem of governing Ireland, where three-fourths would be bitteriy disappointed. He asked, if the Liberals gained a majority, would Ulster lay down her arms? There was no

reason why Ulster should its opinion because a number of British electors, imperfectly informed on Irish affairs, and more interested in land 'and tariff reform, or the Insurance Bill, chose to say so. He asked the Opposition if they would give a guarantee that the measure approved by the electorates should pass into law. Sir Edward Carson interjected: Will ron drop Home Rule? ' Mr. Asquith replied: There is no parity between the two positions. You control the House of Lords. If the matter can he .settled by something in the nature of a general agreement, it is much better settled here and now. He regretted his conversations with Mr. Bonar"Law had failed io attain an agreement, but he did not despair of the possibility of a settlement and thought the passage in the King's Speech was echoed in every corner of the House. Received 11, 11.20 p.m. London, February 11.

Mr. 'Asm"** added that he was not even going to pronounce final judgment

even the Opposition regarded it as undesirable and only a means of escape from more formidable evils. Personally, he favored Sir Horace Plunkett's plan of including Ulster with the option of exclusion after a time. He concluded by saying that any concessions must he regarded as the price of peace. Peace which would enable .the Irish Government to start in a proper atmosphere, and give it a fair chance of working successfully. He could not believe the country would be reduced to such insolvency of statesmanship that it could not, with an honest mind and goodwill, avoid the evils and dangers, ahead. Directly the j necessary financial business was completed, the Government would put forward suggestions to secure a settleI ment. After Mr. Asquith's speech the debate languished. Mr. Lough said Ulster's opposition would be largely met by the adoption of proportional representation in the Irish Parliament. Mr Austen Chamberlain revived the debate, with a speech of great vivacity. The House was crowded. He sai<l tlie Premier claimed having received a mandate from the people. Did he ask for a mandate to wage civil war? Did lie. receive the electors' authority to use British troops to shoot down fellow citizens in Ulster who foil thev have been robbed of their rights and privileges by procedure begun in fraud and to be consummated by force? If the Government could not think kindly of t'lstermeii, let them think for u moment that Ulstermen were Greeks or Armenians. The Liberals would then I sympathise loudly and proclaim they I were rightly struggling to be free.

Mr. Chamberlain concluded by asking if the Government meant to exclude Ulster would they secure for her tbe same rights that Britain enjoyed'; If the Government answered "yes" the danger of civil war would be averted. It" not, civil waT was certain. Exclusion was only possible on the basis of peace, but it would not make Hie Bill good or safe. Mr. Simon moved the adjournment. A similar debate took place in flie House of Lords. Lord Middleton moved thai it would Ixi disastrous to proceed with Home Rule.

Lord Movley repeated Mr Asi|niUi'% arguments that the Government realised the vast importance to Ulster. The debate was adjourned.