THE IRISH QUESTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 July 1918, Page 4

THE IRISH QUESTION.

FEDERAL DEVOLUTIOJ GENERAL ASSENT NECESSARY. London, June 30. The Press Bureau report the proceed' ings of a deputation of all parties, except the Irish, whidh urged the case foi federal devolution on Mr. Lloyd Georgq who was accompanied by Mr. Barney Sir F. E. Smith, Messrs Chamberlain, Long, Addison, Fisher, and Short Lords Brassey and Selborne, and Messri J. M. Robertson and Adamaon were among the spokesmen for the deputation.

Mr. Adamson, while in favor of devolution, said the Labor 'Party would not acquiesce in the attempt to establish the Federal form of Government be« ing made an excuse for the hanging up of Home Rule for Ireland. He believed that, unless the Irish difficulty was settled quickly, there would either be a rising in Ireland or the near future would bring other forces to the settlement than the two sections .of the Brit-i ish people. Mr. Lloyd George, replying, said hS had always been a strong federalist and realised the impossibility of Parliament dealing adequately with post-war ptob* lems if simultaneously it was taxed by; local affairs, but it was impossible toi carry such a measure during the was withoat something like general assents There was no doubt about the opinion' of Scotland and Wales, but the opinion of England was not so clear. That really mattered, as it wesi really a question for the English constituencies. Other special difficulties included the question of Ulster, on which the views, of the deputation were not clear. He would not like to predict how fafdevolution would help to solve the Irish, question. The national conscience must be eased. Both Unionists and Home Rulers had an uneasy feeling that t)h» best was not being done for the country, but if the scheme proposed giving equal treatment to Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales they could say to Irishmen: "We are giving you exactly what we are taking for ourselves. What is good enough for us ought to be good enough for you." That would satisfy the Dominions, who are convinced that we are treating Ireland clumsily and tactlessly in not giving the freedom whidh is iher due.

That was certainly the feeling in America. He had received letters even in the last few days from prominent pro-English Americans, who were very unhappy that the Irish question was unsolved. Therefore he -was glad they WCTe promoting a solution which would ultimately give satisfaction as fair, just and businesslike. —Aus. N.Z. Cable Association and Renter.