IRISH CONVENTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 May 1917, Page 5

IRISH CONVENTION.

STATEMENT BY PREMIER. SECRET SITTINGS. ULSTERMEN NOT HOPEFUL. SINN FEIN MANIFESTO Received May 1 22, 5.40 p.m. 'London, May 22. In the House of Commons, Mr. Lloyd George, in tlie course of a statement regarding the Irish convention, said it would comprise representatives of local Sfoverament bodies, churches, trades ,unions, commercial and educational interests, and that the sittings would be held >vith closed doors. The Government accepts the responsibility if a substantial agreement is reached. Sir John Lonsdale stated .that the 1)1etermen will do their utmost to promote a settlement, but ,he is not hopeful as to the result. Mr. Redmond considered the proposals implied an obligation on Britain's part !o give effect to the decisions arrived at. He assumed that all sections of Irishmen felt bound* to participate.

The Sinn Fein Committee lias issued a manifesto, which states tliat it distrusts the convention proposed, as the Government has already pledged its support to a small section of the Irish who refuse to abide by the decision of their fellow countrymen, This prcclmlos the possibility of a settlement by means of a convention. Such convention, if held, must be free from English, influence, and free, '.f it so desires, to declare complete independence of Ireland^ THE PREMIER REVIEWS THE POSITION. A POWERFUL APPEAL. TO HEAL THE SORE. Reuter Service. Received May 20, 6.40 p.m. London, May 21. In the House of Commons, Mr. Lloyd George referred to the successive failures of attempts by English Governments to secure an Irish settlement. He had, therefore, decided to invite Irishmen to put forward proposals and try their own hands at forming an instrument for government. The experiment had succeeded in the Dominions, and he could not li?lp thinking that what had succeeded there 'was achievable in Ireland. He, therefore, proposed to summon immediately a convention of Irishmen in Ireland, to submit to the British Government and Parliament a constitution for the Government of Ireland within the Empire. The convention must be representative of all classes and interests, including the Sinn Feiners, and must really represent life and activities in all their forms. It was suggested that- the chairman should be nominated 'by the Crown, and that the terms of reference should be those contained in his letter to Mr. Redmond. The parties entering the convention were pledged to no conclusion, but each man was pledged to do his best, as an Irishman, a patriot, and a man of honor, to settle the controversy. If a substantial agreement were reached the Imperial Government would accept the responsibility of taking all necessary steps to give legislative effect thereto. The Government felt that a settlement) would materially help the successful conclusion of the war. Irishmen had a passionate love for liberty, and he wanted them ranged on the side of tlift Allies, and not torn by conflicting emotions. We should need all our strength to win a triumph worthy of the sacrifices made by the Empire, and could not afford to have thi9 imcured sore that sapped its vigor. He appealed to their patriotic spirit for help and healing. MR. REDMOND'S SUPPORT.

' Mr. Redmond said the proposal was , entirely novel. He was willing to agree to a limited representation of the Irish Party and an equally large representation of Ulster, as well as generous representation by Sinn Feiners. He approved of the proposal to have a small nominated element, also that the Crown should nominate'' the chairman. 'Flo was sure in his hope that the result of the conference Would bo blessed for Ireland and the Empire, which he whole-heartedly hoped would be animated by the true spirit of conciliation among all Irishmen. SIR J. B. LONSDALE DOUBTFUL.

Sir J. ®. Lonsdale, speaking for the Ulster party, said the proposal would be submitted to Ulster with a recommendation to carefully consider the same. The people would be guided by the same patriotic motives which had always guided them, and, though not sanguine of the result, 'he and his colleagues nob take the responsibility of closing the door of experiment.

ULSTER INFLUENCED BY THREATS

Received May 22, fi.4o p.m. London, May 21. s Sir Edward Carson, in the House of Commons, said that whether Ulster participated in the conference or not, she will not be influenced by threats. He would be with Ulster to the end. DEBATE IN THE LORDS., Received May 23, 12.20 a.m. London, May 22. In the House of Lords, Viscount Curzon emphasised that the war alone had led the Government to try to solve the Irish difficulty. It would be a national misfortune if one of the Irish parties stood out from the convention. Lord Middleton said lie was not goinjj to treat the convention as foredoomed failure, but the only peaceful solution lie and his friends would, accept would be one that would be enduring. .lust let the Government scrap the past history, s'o that the Nationalists would not only receive but would abo give. He and his friends would not go to the convention with a rope round their necks. Lord Lansdowne repudiated the charge that he wrecked the. last attempt at a settlement, which failed because he could not settle the details of opinions. Ireland had'since hardened against partition, and he was not hojseful' regarding the confei'enoe, but if it failed it would fftiltj l

DIFFICULTIES IN THE WAY, Reutcr Service, Received May 22 ,8.30 p.m. London, May 22. In the House of Commons, Mr. William O'Brien, while welcoming the proposal, warned the Government of the front difficulties to be overcome in the selection of the personnel of the Convention. Mr. Asquith pointed >out that there was no dissent from the Government proposals. On the contrary, a large part of the Irish nation heartily embraced them. Sir Edward Carson said lie found no reason to modify his opinion, He had always held that the befit solution of 'lie problem was the maintenance of the union. He urged that if the Convention 'net, delegates should attend without set Proposals.