The Irish Situation

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 30, 25 June 1914, Page 5

The Irish Situation

AMENDING BILL IN THE HOUSE OF

LORDS.

A MINISTERIAL STATEMENT.

By Cable—Press Association—Copyright London, June 23.

In the House of Lords Lord Crewe introduced an amending Bill on the lines of the Premier's March proposals. He said the Bill gave the widest possible latitude for amendment. There would be two general elections before the permanent exclusion of Ulster was possible. The Bill provided for the obligatory reconsideration of exclusion, but did not provide for automatie inclusion. A member of tile Government would be appointed to deal with Irish business in Britain, and tile civil Government of the excluded area would be exercised by the Lord Lieutenant, through the departments. The constituencies of the excluded area would send members to the British House of Commons. A joint Exchequer Board would apportion the finances between the excluded and included areas.

Lord Lansdowne declared it shabby and undignified of the Government to introduce unacceptable proposals and then ask the Opposition to assist to convert them into a tangible working

measure. The Bill was read a first time. The text will be issued to-morrow.

• ULSTER'S NEOK IN A NOOSE. THE DEBATE PROCEEDING. Received 24, 11.5 p.m. London, June 24. The galleries in the House of Lords were crowded, those present including Sir Edward Carson, Mr. Balfour, and many other Commoners. Lord Crewe admitted the profundity of the religious differences in Ulster, but said this would not be met by the exclusion of the whole of Ulster. The Government would give the most careful consideration to any amendments.

'Lord Lansdowne said tlie Government knew perfectly well that the Bill would not avert civil war. It would leave under the Home Rule yoke certain areas w!herein there was a small Nationalist majority.' The time limit meant that the Government wished Ulster to remain with a noose round her neck.

The Daily Mail suggests that the House of Lords should insist that no county be included without a two-thirds majority; also that no county be included at the end of the six years' term without a fresh appeal to the electors.

AN EXTREME STEP. TO CREATE EXCITEMENT. Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, June 23. The extreme section of the Irish Nationalists is bringing the body of O'Donovan Rossa to Treland for interment, with the view of making a funeral demonstration in support of the complete independence of Ireland.