IRELAND

Taranaki Daily News, 16 April 1918, Page 6

IRELAND

SELF-GOVERNMENT. EVOLUTION OF A SCHEME. ' ' ULSTERITES AND THE NATIONALISTS STILL DIVIDED. London, April 13. Two schemes discussed by the Irish Convention provided for the continued representation of Ireland in the Imperial Parliament on lines enabling the new Irish constitution to fit into the future complete fcderalisatiou of the United Kingdom. Several schemes provided a' central Irish Parliament with provincial legislatures. Others favored a single legislature with a provincial grand committee consisting of members from each province empowered to veto and possibly initiate legislation or measures of administration so far as tlie particular province was concerned. Most of these schemes contained full control of taxation, including customs and excise. The. various schemes were referred to a Grand Committee, which asked Mr. Redmond to draft a scheme as a basis feu discussion. Mr. Redmond preferred that this should be undertaken by a lion-political member, therefore the Bishop of Raplioe drafted a scheme- The draft was referred to a sub-committee, which adopted the title of Senato in preference to House of Lords, and also decided that the Unionists should have ■M) per cent- of the representation in the Irish House of Commons, by including nominated members, tiiis system to continue for a decade.

PREMIER ASSISTS JN SOLVING PROBLEM.

After the failure of the Convention to find a basis of financial agreement, Mr. Lloyd George wrote to Sir H. Plunkett, suggesting that the Convention should not come to a definite break without the Government having an opportunity to consult the leaders of the Convention, adding that the Government was agreed and determined that a solution must be found- He was prepared j to do anything in his powcj- to assist in reaching a final agreement to enable the new Irish constitution to come into operation with the consent of all parties. Writing to Sir H. Plunkett again after s conference with the leaders. Mr. Lloyd ! George said: "It is clear to the Government that the only hope of agreement lies in providing for the unity of Ireland under a single legislature adequately safeguarding (he interests of Ulster and the southern - Unionists and preserving the fundamental unity of the United Kingdom. The Government is aware of the seriousness of the customs and excise question." The. Premier added that it wafe practically impossible to disturb the fiscal and financial relations of Britain and Ireland ii: the midst of the war. It might also be incompatible with the federal reorganisation of the United Kingdom, in favor of which opinion was growing. He suggested that during the war and two lyears thereafter the Britisli Parliament should control customs and excise; that, its soon as the Irish Parliament had been established, a joint, Exchequer Board lie created to determine the true revenue of Ireland, and thereafter a Royal Commission be appointed to examine the financial relations and report 011 Ireland's contribution to Imperial expenditure, and to submit proposals adjusting economic and fiscal relations. The Government was prepared to hand over other forms of taxation to the Irish Parliament, also the balance of customs and excise, after deducting the Irish contributions to the Imperial expenditure, Mr. Lloyd George declared it was desirable that during the war the police and postal services should remain under Imperial control. Ho thought the suggested safeguard for Ulster workable. The Government was prepared to give effect to any of the Convention's decisions on land purchase and housingAfter discussing the main features of Mr. Lloyd George's suggestions, the Convention agreed to leave customs and excise wth the Imperial Government, provided they be dealt with within seven years after the war. The Convention insisted that an arrangement should be made for the joint control of the police and postal services during the war. It accepted the joint Exchequer Board, but rejected the Royal Commission.

The Archbishop of Armagh and the Provost of Trinity College added a note opposing the Convention's conclusions as involving the coercion of Ulster and the partition of Ireland.

i'he report of the sub-committee on Science slated that, assuming selfgovernment was granted, it. was thought impossible to impose compulsory service on Ireland without the assent of the Irish Parliament.

STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN. * London: April 14. Sir TI. PlunJcett, conversinir with pressmen, said that the most he bad hoped for was substantial agreement, not unanimity. The Convention lmd abolished the Irish question outside, Ulster, and biter the situation would be so changed that it would he much easier to negotiate with Ulster. The Convention had not dissolved, only adjourned sine die. The partition of Ireland would be 110 settlement. Tt would be better to wait than start Home Pule with partition. The strength of the Ulster opposition was mainly on religious grounds. A SETTLEMENT DIFFICULT. FEELING IN IRELAND London, April 14.

The Times' Dublin correspondent says that the Convention report is not heeded Tlie whole country is preoccupied with the question of conscription. The (lister Council has issued a statement which declares that the report i" '••• ' K f> =afeiniiird of the previous Home Rule Bills for securing tlie supremacy of the Imperial Parliament. Owing to the growth of Sinn Feinism and the failure of the Nationalists to win recent elections, it is pretty obvious that an Irish general election would place the balance of power in the hands of the .partv prepared, with German assistance and promises of. arms, to strike a blow at the heart of the Rmnire. reducing Ireland to the condtion of Russia. Commenting 011 the Irish situation the Daily News and Dailv Chronicle deplore the Government's attitude on conscription. The Morning Post says that the nation is asked to betray (Ulster to placate 0 ' 1 Fein. The Dailv Telegraph and Time* c"nhasi™ the resno'isihilitv of the Govi'" i"ont to find a settlement in fulfilment of | the Prsmier's fdedg®.