THE IRISH TREATY.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 December 1921, Page 5

THE IRISH TREATY.

DEBATE IN COMMONS. MR. ASQUITH'S SUPPORT, UNIONIST AMENDMENT, Bj Telegraph.—Press Assn —vopyright. Received Dec. 16, 7.30 pan. London, Dec. 15. The Irish settlement debate was continued in the House of Commons. Mr. H. EL Asquith (Leader of the Liberal Party) heartily commended the compact, which gave Ireland the fullest measure of local autonomy and gave Irishmen a full share in free citizenship, which throughout the Empire was the essence of Dominion self-government. He wished this great act of national reconciliation would ue carried without a dissenting voice. Unhappily there was not complete unanimity, but there was as near an approach to unity over a long and bitter subject as he ever witnessed. Mr. Lloyd George appeared to be under the impression that he (Mr. Asquith) contemplated creating by the Irish Free State an army and navy of its own, which would be a potential menace to the security of Britain’s Empire. Mr. Llovd George explained that what he said was that Mr. Asquith proposed that Ireland should have the same free ami unfettered right to raise an army and a navy as a Dominion had. Mr. Lloyd George was opposed to that. Mr. Asquith, continuing, said that if anything in the nature of Dominion selfgovernment were given to Ireland or another part of the Empire it must be on the same footing. No part of Mr. Lloyd George’s speech carried less conviction than the assertion that not only had the Government done the right thing,- but it had waited for the right moment. (Opposition cheers). THE AMENDMENT.

Colonel J. Gretton (Coalition-Union-ist i moved an amendment regretting a settlement involving the surrender of the Crown’s rights in Ireland, giving power to establish an independent army and navy, requiring further sacrifices from Ulster, and not safeguarding the rights of Southern loyalists. He criticised the oath of allegiance as peculiar and destructive. Mr. Winston Churchill (Secretary for War) said he had no doubt regarding Britain’s power to crush Irish resistance, and he believed the country would be willing to adopt such a policy if no other course were open. That was the question winch had been resolved and a completely new situation had been created. Ample conditions for partnership had been offered Ulster, whose interests were safeguarded. The question on both sides of the Channel was whether the difficulties outstanding were sufficient to make it imperative to renew fighting. The world would not tolerate such a' policy. It was time to atop fanatical troubles. Mr. Churchill said the enterprise was full of uncertainty, but they could count j upon the support of the three great parties of the State. MR. BONAR LAW. Mr. Bonar Law made his first speech since his retirement, and he received prolonged cheers from all sides. He said that, having read his own obituary he felt it was bad taste to come to life again. (Laughter.) He assured members that he . was most unwilling to speak and vote on | the present motion. Nothing Aould diminish his respect for Lord Carson, but he . felt it cowardly not to express his opinion. ; At one time it looked as though an at- : rempt had been made to compel Ulster to I come into an All-Ireland Parliament, but that fear was not justified.

He proceeded: “It seems to me now to be impossible for the Government to present any other policy if Southern Ireland is to be given Dominion home rule and Ulster kept within the Empire. Bitter feeling is growing up in Ulster on the ground that she has been betrayed, and that is most disast »us.” He honestly thought that feeling was not justified. A good deal of nonsense had been talked about Ulster being coerced into an Aii-Irish Parliament. The new Parliament would not escape her payment of debts. The men who would form the Government would be

young and inexperienced, and such people, with the power to create a new heaven on earth, would be likely to indulge in attempts which would not lower taxation. Mr. Bonar Law said he personally believed the taxation in Southern Inland would be higher and not lower than that of the United Kingdom. He thought it would be a great mistake if Ulster was net consulted before the Government signed the agreement regarding boundaries, but he also thought Ulster would make a real mistake if she refused on that account, as if the terms of the agreement were carried out there would be a real adjustment of boundaries. The Government had no nght to ask Ulster for an immediate decision, but he would be much surprised if Sir James Craig and his friends did not agree to ratification after a time. By this agreement Ulster had a right to shape her own destinies. He did not pretend to like the agreement, but it was worth taking a risk to get the relations with Ireland on a different footing. Mr. Lloyd George said while the House was entitled to make alterations in the treaty he wished to make it dear mat any alterations by either side without mutual consent would destroy the pact and the negotiations would have to be re-opened. London, Dec. 16. Apart from the dramatic intervention of Mr. Bonar Law, the feature of the day was Mr. Churchill's speech. Before he’ rose the House was decidedly restive, as the diehards were very active in debate. There was a thrilling passage when. Mr. Churchill i ecalled that Lord Curzon and Mr. De Valera were both at the same hour calling their friends traitors. While Lord Carson was denouncing Lord Curzon, Mr. De Valera was denouncing Mr. Collins for supporting the treaty which nineteentwentieths of their count! ymen were determined to carry through. Mr. Bonar Law, rising at the back bench, spoke for nearly an hour. His voice faltered in the middle, but his intellect is as keen as ever. There was tense silence during the opening phrases while speaking of his friendship for Lord Carson. For a while the House was doubtful how he was going to vote, but broke into loud cheers when he caid he was in favor of this agreement.