The Daily News. THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1918. UNKNOWN

Taranaki Daily News, 18 April 1918, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1918. UNKNOWN

Hopes for the evolution of a scheme of Home Rule for Ireland that would be acceptable to all parties have been very slender, though we believe that the Convention—at least the majority of its members— conscientiously endeavored to arrive at an agreement and thus terminate a prolonged and bitter controversy. The feeling in Britain is unquestionably one of intense desire to satisfy the claims of the Irish people as regards self government, and throughout the Empire the solution of the problem would be hailed with the greatest satisfaction and relief. For eight months the Convention has been engaged in a strenuous endeavor to reconcile the various views on the subject with the object of forming a basis on which to build a workable constitution. Failure to at> tain the end in view cannot be attributed to Britain, but must lie- at Ire-* land's door. The two great barriers to success were Ulster's claim to separate itself from the rest of Ireland in case of Irish separation from the United Kingdom, and the refusal of the other sections of the Convention to accept even temporary partition. That is the crux of the position, and failure to reconcile the claims of Ulster and the Nationalists brings the labors of the Convention to nought. In order to arrive at a compromise on any question there must be a certain amount of give and take, so that when, as in the Irish question, both sides arc unyielding, there can be no hope of an agreement- Apparently Ulster was prepared to make some sacrifice in the cause of unity, but the Nationalists concentrated their forces on a demand for a Government for all Ireland endowed with unrestricted fiscal powers. It is quite possible that the fiscal problem could have been overcome, although it is beset with difficulties. The object of the Convention—had it been attained —was beyond all praise. As described by the British Premier the aim was to secure a just balance of all the opposing interests and finally compose the unhappy discords which have so long distracted Ireland and impeded its harmonious development- No aim could be more commendable, but the "unhappy discords" prevented the realisation of the object in view. All the same the Convention made a decided step in advance, and there is still a possibility of drawiir.' (he adverse elements into closer accord than was at one time thought pos-

siblc. At present the conscription question looms large and practically overshadows the constitutional question, the hostility of the Nationalists being very ■bitter* This is greatly to 'be regretted for it is a matter of national responsibility and emphasises the views of the extremists who favor a Republic, besides iu large measure accounting for the failuse of the Convention. Widespread regret will be felt at

the failure of the Convention's efforts, for sympathy with the Irish people in their legitimate troubles has been universal. Britain has done her best to inaugurate a new era for the Trish nation, and though her efforts have so far failed the door of hope is not yet closed, nor should it be until every possible expedient has been utilised to bring about an agreement that will at least be sufficiently practical as to merit a trial. Sir Horace Plunkett (chairman of the Convention) considers it possible that a scheme may be devised to which "Ulster would give adherence, or that the remainder of Ireland may arrive at a complete or substantial agreement. The very fact that so much has been done to clear the ground on whicli the structure of Home Rule can be built should of itself be an incentive to further efforts. Admitting that Hie lines of demarcation are acute, there is still no reason why in course of time the various parties should not moderate their claims and abandon that uncompromising attitude which prevents Irish ideals being realised. A great, responsibility now rests on the British Government, whose next step is awaited with keen expectation. Presumably the majority report must be taken as the basis of legislation, and if Ulster is safeguarded there is just a possibility of a workable measure being framed, though the prospects of its becoming law are none too bright, especially in view of the hostility to conscription- by the Na-

tionalists and Extremists. It is a thousand pities that these two matters should be intertwined, hut the needs of thft Empire at this critical period are th« first consideration, and the magnificent fighting spirit of the Irish should help instead of hindering the solution of a problem that will open up for Ireland a new era fraught with great possibilities.