Home Rule

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 193, 13 February 1914, Page 5

Home Rule

FURTHER SPEECHES. "AN INTOLERABLE SITUATION." MR. LONG'S AMENDMENT LOST. By Cable Press Association—Copyright London, February 11. Mi'. Long's amendment, demanding that the Home Rule Bill be submitted to the people, was defeated by 333 votes to ->os. The O'Brienites did not t'ake part in the division;

Sir John Simon, Attorney-General, contrasted the speeches of Mr. Asquith *nd Mr. Chamberlain. He said the latter was not conciliatory. Sir Edward Carson replied arguing that the situation was intolerable, inasmuch as the Unionists, pending Mr. Asquith's suggestions, were asked to vote the Estimates, including pay to the army which the Liberals threatened to send to Ulster. If the Government proposed Ulster's exclusion he wouid consult the Ulstermen. He added that Mr. Redmond did not want Ulster's affections, her taxes. Mr. Redmond repudiated the charge -«s one of unworthy motives. The Nationalists shared to the full the desire for a peaceful solution, although he did not share the tragic view of tile possi-' bilities of civil- war. The exclusion of Wstey could never be a solution.

Lord Loreburn, in the House of Lords' Rebate on the Address, said the time had come when the stage of Teticenee regarding Home Rule ought to be abandoned and everybody ehould submit their views.

A great prayer meeting was held in the Wellington Hall, Belfast, comprising all denominations, synchronising with the assembling of Parliament. The Duke of Portland, in the House of Lords, contributed a speech descriptive of Ulster's preparation, which he watched recently. Sir E. Carson, interviewed, said: "Mr. Asquith's speech carries us no furth»r. It is simply marking time. Nothing lag been said to induce the Ulstermen to relax their preparations." Upwards of fifty amendments to the Addrcss-uj-Rcply ("have been tabled in the Honse of Commons. Lord Ampthill demands a select committee of enquiry into Viscount Murray's American Marconi transactions while chief Liberal Whip. ] ______ i SIR E. CARSON SPEAKS. PASSIONATE APPEAL ON ULSTER'S BEHALF. CREATES A NEW SITUATION. HOUSE DEEPLY MOVED. Received 12, 11.15 p.m. London, February 12. In the House of Commons, Sir Ed- ! ward Carson accused the Government (A manoeuvring the position. They should have immediately introduced an amending Bill embodying their concrete pTo- ' positls. He said tue exclusion of Ulster was not opposed to the fundamentjl principles of the Hill, and, if offered, would put an end to Ulster's resistance. Hut the Ulster Unionists would not take the responsibility of the Bill, which would be hard on the Unionists of South-west Ireland, which was too tender in her mercies to her enemies, li exclusion was offered, he would go to Ulster immediately and take counsel with the people. They didn't mean that Ulster should be made a pawn in , any political game. There were only two ways to deal with Ulster. She could not be bouglit and would not be sold.

Sir Edward continued: "You must force her on l>y shewing good government under Home Rule; possibly you may try to win her over." (Liberal

dieers.) ! Then, facing Mr Redmond, Sir Edward Carson said: "You gain nothing by coercion. One false step in relation to Ulster will render a settlement impossible. I tell you, tins Government tell you that the Ulsterites are your fellow-countrymen. I will tell you that you have never tried to win over Ulster, that you have never tried to understand Ulster's position. If you want Ulster to go, take her and win her, but yot d(m't want her affections; you vi'iit her taxes!" Sir Edward Carson concluded: "It is not my fault if resistance is necessary, but on my conscience, I shall not refuse to join it." (Prolonged Unionist

cheers.) Mr Redmond said there were passages in Sir Edward Carson's speech which deeply moved him, though he protested against the gross imputation that the Nationalists wanted taxes from Ulster. The idea was in conflict with their ideal, and was hateful. The Nationalists didn't want the new system to start with the terrible handicap of " conflict. They would accept the new situation arising from the Premier taking the initiative in making suggestion'., though personally he thought the T >-

sponsibility for the initiative might • fairly be left to the Opposition. The suggestion that the problem could be solved by excluding Antrim down to Armagh and Derry was utterly ridiculous and impossible. Mr J. R. Clynes, Labor member for said that when every argument had failed the Opposition had fallen hack npon armed resistance to the law. What would be the position '.n respect to the industrial inhabitants of great towns if men were drilled to resist the Crown and Government because the Right to Work Bill had been denied

Mr A. Birrell, Secretary for Ireland, paid a tribute to the force and eloquence of Sir E. Carson's speech. It proved that if he hated Home Rule he loved his country more. He continued: "We aye approaching nearer to peace when Sir K. Carson admits that the exclusion of Ulster would get rid of civil war." Mr Lloyd fieorge said Sir E. Carson's speech had entranced the House when he appealed to the Nationalists

to win Ulstsr. He suggested the prospect of co-operation with the Government of Ireland had created an absolutely new situation and constituted an element which the Government must take into account. The Government believed safeguards had made it impossible for Ulster to suffer, but Ulster did not think so. The Government was prepared to go to any limits consistent with the principles of the Bill to allay legitimate fears, but could not and would not betray the majority of Irishmen, who trusted the Government. If, after everything had been done to allay Ulster's legitimate fears, the Government quailed before threats of violence, it woul<f violate its trust. The Government submitted its proposals upon its own responsibilty, but the responsibility for their acceptance and rejection would be that of the .Opposition. Mr Bonar Law, in winding up the debate, pressed the Government to make an immediate and specific offer, and urged the exclusion of Ulst«* or the holding of a general election, but he ■was prepared to accept a referendum should the Government prefer it. It was no good to make an offer of Home Hule within Home Rule. If the Govornment continued its present policy bloodshed was inevitable. Sir Clifford Cory, Libera] member for Cornwall, abstained from voting. There was no cross-voting. Twelve Liberals were absent from illness.

I In the House of Lords, Lord Loreburn declared that the King's reference to the gravity -of the situation was a courageous and honorable departure. He considered a dissolution did not offer a solution; it merely postponed the question. The Bill was good, but a settlement by consent would be bettor. He believed federalism would prove the solution of the difficulty. Lord Lansdowne said Mr Asqnith's and Lord Morley's declaration of policy | was too vague and unsubstantial. Plans must be definitely formulated and submitted to the people. The debate was adjourned. A SOLUTION PRACTICABLE. London, February 11. Mr. Munro-Ferguson, the new Australian Governor-General, in farcwclling his constituents, confidently believe.d in the peaceful settlement of the Irish question. He believed Mr. Asquith' would And a way, while conserving the principles they had fought for ior years. It should be practicable to devise a form of Home Rule which would satisfy the North of Ireland. AUSTRALIAN PRESS COMMENT. Sydney, February 12. Commenting on the speech from the throne and on Home Rule, the Telegraph, in a leader, says the experience of Australia, Canada, South Africa and New Zealand shows that most gratifying results have followed the extension to the people of complete control i f local affairs. Instead of weakening the Empire and inspiring the desire for separation it has strengthened the Imperial bond.