IRELAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 July 1916, Page 5

IRELAND.

TREATMENT OF PRISONERS. London, July 10. Mr. Asquith, in the House of Commons, said the Government did not propose to treat Irish prisoners sentenced by court-martial as political prisoners. HOME RULE. STATEMENT BY MR. ASQUIT& Reuter Service.) Received July 11, 5.5 p.m. Lnodon, July 10, In the House of Common* Mr. A*quith said the main provisions of the Irish agreement were the exclusion of the six Ulster counties; that the Irish iParliamcnt should be composed of the present Irish members of the House of Commons, and that an Appeal Court be set up in Dublin, appointment* in; connection therewith to be made by. the.lmperial Executive. Received July 11, 8.5 p.m. London, July 11. ' In the House of Commons, Mr. *Asqnith, in his Irish statement, said that Mr. Lloyd George had consulted all sections in Ireland, and only one basis of settlement was posisble, which involved the bringing down of a Home Rule Fill omitting in its operation six Ulster counties and the Parliamentary boroughs -of Belfast, Londonderry, and Newry. One thing which made all parties come to an agreement was the war. At the Somme, Ulster and other Irish regiment* were vieing in splendid rivalry, creating a new bond between themselves and between the United Kingdom. This was the moment to remove, if they could, any cause for future party strife, and leave the kingdom free to concentrate its energies upon the achievement of vietory. It was in this spirit that Ulsterinen and Nationalists negotiated, and the Government offered proposals to the House. The main changes proposed were that the Irish House of Commons shopld consist for the time being of those returned to the Imperial House of Commons, 'ind that the Appeal Court should consist- of judge;; appointed by the Imperial Executive. He had not received a specific proposal from the Unionists of the west and south, but they would receive careful and sympathetic treatment. The Imperial Government Would retain exclusive authority in matters prising from the War Bill, which provisional measure would remain in force for twelve months after the war. Those who looked forward to a united Ireland recognised that union could never be effected without the free will and assent of the excluded area. He believed there was now a golden opportunity for.an arlangement such as was never before possible. He appealed to the House to take advantage of the chance, which might never recur, of providing a lasting settlement. Sir E. Carson said he understood the six counties would be definitely eliminated, although, of course, they could be. included by another Bill, Mr. Asquith: "They cannot be included without it. Machinery will be provided for the government of the included counties." Irish members wpuld continue to sit in the Imperial Parliament under the provisions of the Home P>ule Act.