HOME RULE.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 May 1920, Page 5

HOME RULE.

CHANCES IN THE BILL. AMENDMENTS ASKED FOR. By Aasn/arCopyrlght, London, May 24. A deputation of responsible people interested in the settlement of the Irish problem interviewed the acting-Chief Secretary, Air. Walter Long, at the House of Commons, and expressed belief in the Government's good intenitons, but asked for generous amendments of the Home Rule Bill, by which the fundamental unity would be more clearly asserted. The deputation was of opinion that the Irish Parliament, should include legislatures with two Chambers for both divisions of Ireland, of which the Upper Houses of each would constitute the council of Ireland, to be invested with wider unreserved powers than are at present provided. It suggested that the amount of the Iri3h contributions to the Imperial Government be [eft to the Irish legislatures, as in the fiominipns. The deputation •uggested other alterations by which the status of Ireland would more closely resemble that of the Dominions. Mr. Long, replying, showed that the Government's task was rendered more difficult through lack of criticism, owing to the absence of the Nationalists, and the withdrawal of Laborites from the House of Commons. Mr. T/>hg also referred to the in'crease of crime in Ireland, and said that Englishmen were liable to regard concessions to Irish opinion as yielding to the forces of outrage. He underquote to submit the deputations'* proposals to the Cabinet—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.