The Irish Question

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 220, 17 March 1914, Page 5

The Irish Question

MB. CHURCHILL'S SPEECH

PEREMPTORY TONE DEPRECATED. ULSTER AX© THE TIME LIMIT. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright Received 15, 10.30 p.m. London, March 16. Unionist newspapers complain that Mr. Winston Churchill's peremptory ~tone in the speech cabled yesterday is calculated to increase the difficulties 0 f "the Premier's immediate task, and •rgue that the challenge and ''take it ■or leave it" offer, as stated, are unjustified until the Premier discloses far more About it than heretofore. Meanwhile, to-day'B statement is eagerly awaited. It is understood that Mr. Asquith does not intend to make any further offer or withdrawal of the existing one *t present. The Chronicle attributes the Unioniat objection to the Ulster time limit "to the belief that two general elections will not displace the present Government! and adds: "The Ministry offer . M olive branch and is anxious to conciliate, but they will not be blackmailed."

AN AUSTRALIAN PARALLEL. • THE STATES AND FEDERATION. Received 16, 9.55 p.m. London, March IS. Sir John Fuller, in a letter comparing "the Ulster case with West Australia, that had West Australia been with a definite inclusion in "the Commonwealth, whether or not she liked it, she would not in all probabil- ' ity to-day have been playing her' im- , port ant part within the Commonwealth. MR. ASQUITH'S STATEMENT. .. A "TIMES" FORECAST. Received 16, 11.30 p.m. London, March 16. The Times declares that there is a distinct hardening of opinion in all •quarters that Mr. Asquith will probahlv make it clear tl .t if his offer proves .altimately unacceptable as a basis of settlement it will not be submitted id a, vote of the House of Commons or given any other mark of permanence.

VARIOUS VIEWS. London, March 15. Itr. Ulingworth, Chief Liberal Whip, speaking at Bradford, said there would le no general election until the Home Rule, Disestablishment and Plural Toting Bills had been passed. ' Mr. Dillon, at Newcastle, said he was

convinced that the compromise was the best calculated to secure a victory. If ■they could repeal it. If they dared to •cut out Ulster, then the Nationalists would renew the struggle, with an Irish Parliament at their back. At the "All for Ireland" Conference

«t Cork, Mr. O'Brien stated that the Irish Party had accepted the modified

"Bill and covered itself with infamy t •*jflßfrty had swallowed full speed astern, •rid was now rotten. The barque was j,i Hying for its life, and the Hibernian '' -crew were waiting for an opportunity to * "throw the trembling captain overboard. Over ten thousand places have been opened in Kngland for signing the T British Covenant.