The Daily News. THURSDAY, JULY 27, 1916. THE HOME RULE RUPTURE.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 July 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, JULY 27, 1916. THE HOME RULE RUPTURE.

When Mr. Lloyd George entered upon his intensely difficult task of endeavoring to reconcile the conflicting elements which have hitherto prevented a solution of the Irish Home Rule problem, there were many who felt convinced his labor would be in vain. At the same time it was generally recognised that if there was even a possibility of a workable compromise being arrived at Mr. Lloyd George was probably Hie only British statesman who could succeed where so, many others had signally failed. That lie achieved so near an approach to a settlement is a tribute to his tact and personality, and there is no question that had lie been the sole arbiter in the matter it would have been settled long before this. When he returned from Ireland after conducting the negotiations between the Nationalists and the representatives of the Ulster counties, there seemed to be good ground for anticipating that there would be an end to the Home Rule trouble till after the war was over, for the agreement was to last for a year from the close of the war. But when the proposals wore put into shape for incorporation into an Act of Parliament, the Unionists took a band in the matter and insisted on alterations that have proved a stumbling block to the settlement being carried out. Lord Lansdowne's speech on the subject in the House of Lords, even in the light of his subsequent explanation of Lis views, alarmed the Nationalists straight away, and it will be seen by yesterday's cables that Mr. Redmond has intimated tliat his party will oppose the Bill in its present shape. He regards the alterations as a breach ot faith, and as such quite unacceptable. The new proposals to which he takes particular exception are those relating to the permanent exclusion of the Ulster counties, and the elimination of the provision for retaining the full measure of the present Irish representation in the House of Commons. He also objects to the Hill making structural alterations in the Act of 1914, Mr. Lloyd George, in bis reply, was plated in a difficult position, but again proved his resourcefulness and

diplomacy. agreeing in the main with -Mr. Redmond's; account of the transactions in which they had both taken a prominent part in Ireland, lie stressed the fact that tin- Bill was only intended as a temporary measure during the war, so as to eliminate internal troubles at a time when all thoughts and energies should he devoted to the conduct of the war. He made it quite clear that under no circumstances could the six Ulster counties lie compelled to come under the Homo Rule Government, and in rliis eon-

neetion it is noteworthy lliat Mr. Redmond himself admits that the Nationalists do not desire to coerce Ulster. Apparently the main split is over the question or" Irish representation in the Imperial Parliament, and on this point the Unionists have made it clear that they will not support the maintaining of the full representation of Trish members at Westminster. If the points of difference are impartially examined it will be found that there is really little justification foi Nationalist resentment or opposition, hut Irish affairs are so mercurial that ordinary methods of reasoning do not apply. The great point is that at the present time patriotism demands a truce tc internal strife. It is only reasonable to safeguard the Ulster counties, and by the exercise of the requisite amount of give and take a modus vivendi could easily be established. It is proposed that the whole question shall be reviewed by an independent tribunal formed of overseas statesmen, with a view of bringing about a permanent solution of the home Rule problem, and if the Nationalists will only he conciliatory instead of obstinate, Mr. Redmond will shake hands on the floor of the House with Mr. Lloyd George, and bury the hatchet until after the war. That would indeed be a fitting act that would prove beneficial to Ireland and helpful to the Empire. The resignation of Mr. Lloyd George or Mr. Asquith over the matter is simply out of the question at a lime' when their services are urgently required to bring the war to a successful termination.