MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 March 1917, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

IRISH HOME RULE. ANOTHER EFFORT AT SETTLEMENT.

. - London, March 2>. fjlr Bonar Law, in the House of Cominons, said that the Government had decided to make another attempt to solve the Irish question, and Mr. Asquith had promised to co-operate. The second leading of the Consolidated Fund Bill promised an opportunity for an Irish debate.

Sir H. Dalzeillf in moving the supreme Importance of a Government effort at a settlement, said a settlement was necessary in the interests of national unity and to put ourselves right with the Allies. Inaction strengthened the reactionaries in Ireland. All parties must make great sacrifices, otherwise a solution was impossible. The suggestion to appoint Do- >

minion representatives upon the Commission deserved a trial. Mr. Hills, in seconding the motion, said that Irish differences were a source of weakness during the war, and would paralyse na after the war. Mr. Ronald MacNeill stated that the Dominion statesmen were already deeply committed to Hoir.3 Rule by their Parliaments' resolutions. They could not approach the problem impartially. Mr. Hamar Greenwood said it would 1)0 an acknowledgment of incapacity to ask the Dominions to shoulder the responsibility. Received March 24, 12.45 a.m. London, March 23. In the House of Commons, Mr. Pionald MacNeill, referring to Mr. Dillon's untrue suggestion that the Dlsterites were negotiating with the Newman agents, said it was the most serious obstacle to a settlement, and would only create discontent aril distrust. He was convinced •that the oversea representatives would not touch the Irish question with a barge pole. Ulster was not an obstacle to the settlement. She had already made large concessions, but the Nationalists had made none. Mr. Bonar Law welcomed the tone of the debate. 'He repudiated the idea that he desired a general election, for there he detested more. He was not thinking of securing a party advantage or the chance of winning an election, but he realised it was the twhole nation's desire that we should live in peace and friendship with the people of tile south and west of Ireland, if that "were possible. We had no right to impose Home Rule on Ulster unless Ulster would submit to it. If the, Nationalists openly avowed they were prepared to act in as sane a spirit as the British parties, 'then Mr. Bonar Law believed it would be easier to make an arrangement with Ulster. The present position' wag a blemish on our statesmanship, but it was not all the statesmen's fault. He believed England desired to act justly fo Ireland. The Government was prepared to grant self-government to Ireland to-morrow, where it was distinctly demanded. The Government wanted a settlement, but sacrifices were necessary on all sides in order to achieve it. Tie Irish question acted as a handicap in carrying on the war, and if we were to make another attempt and fail, then the position would be worse than ever. It makes us hesitate. The Government had decided on its own responsibility to some day or other make another attempt at settlement. (Loud cheera.) The House knowa the difficulties, and we hope it will not press for a fuller statement now, but give the Government a little time for consideration. jWe think it worth while to make an pttempt, whether it succeeds or fails. Mr. Asquith said: "I think I may express on behalf of the whole House satisfaction at the announcement. Personally, I think it better to make an attempt and fail, than not to make one at aIL The Government will realise that It has the sympathy _and active co-op-eration of all of us* Sir H. Dalziel's motion was negatived, and the Consolidated Fund Bill was read a second time.