HOME RULE.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 May 1920, Page 5

HOME RULE.

BILL IN THE COMMONS. SECOND CHAMBER PROPOSAL, fa Islegraph.—Press A»3n.—Qopjrlgki. Received May 20, 1.5 a.m. London, May IS. The House of Commons is discussing the Home Rule Bill.

Colonel Sir Samuel Hoare (CoalitionUnionist; moved an amendment establishing a second chamber in the Parliaments both of southern and northern Ireland.

Mr. Walter Long said the Government desired to make their proposals part of a federal plan in which Great Britain and Ireland would participate, and the central Parliament of which would be in London. The Government believed that in a federal system the best security for the minority could be found in a central Parliament. The Government proposed definitely to accept the principle of a second chamber for each of the two Irish Parliaments.

Mr. Long emphasised that the second chamber must be so constituted as to provide real protection for the minority. He emphasised that this would involve a great change in the structure of the Bill, although the change was absolutely consistent with the fundamental principle of the Bill—namely, the establishment of a federal system. He pointed out that very difficult questions must first be considered. For example, whether the second chamber would be nominated or elected, but he understood that the Government would later submit a definite scheme.

Colonel Seely urged that Mr. Long's proposals would be not long delayed. Any delay in handling the Irish question might fatally affect our relations with America, and also with the Empire Sir Edward Carson deprecated tne mention of America. (Cheers). It was high time America, or the pretended spokesman for America, learnt to understand that we were still a great Power, and were not subordinate to America, or any other great Power. We never meddled with exclusively American questions, even for electioneering purposes. Sir Samuel Hoare then withdrew his amendment.

The Government opposed an amendment by Lord Robert Cecil providing for North Ireland to remain in all respects part of the United Kingdom. The amendment was rejected by 203 votes to 80. Mr. J. R. Clynes' amendment in favor of the deletion of an essential clause establishing separate Parliaments in North and South Ireland was defeated by 213 votes'to 81.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.