Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1911. THE IRISH DELEGATES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10209, 10 April 1911, Page 4

Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1911. THE IRISH DELEGATES.

It goes without saying that the Irish delegates, wiho are coming to the Dominion to solicit subscriptions in aid of the Home Rule fund, will be accorded a cordial reception from sympathisers with the movement, without resjpect of nationality or religion. ; Although opinions in ay be divided as ! to the wisdom of conceding the full autonomy to a people who are themselves far from unanimous upon the question, there can be little doubt that Home Rule in some form is within measurable distance of accomplishment. It is maintained by not a few that Ireland is as much entitled to self-government as is Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. On the other hand it is pointed out that Ireland is an integral portion of the United Kingdom, and that she has full and adequate representation in the Imperial Parliament. History lias shown, however, that even when the Irish party dominates the political situation, as it does at the present time, the demand for local autonomy is as strong as ever. The one stumbling block to Home Rule appears to be the apprehension of sectarian strife. Whether rightly or wrongly, the fear is expressed that temporal power, once ! conceded, would develop into religious intolerance. The very possibility of such a development should, however, act as a powerful deterrent, for the culmination of intolerance must inevitably be riot and bloodshed. It is impossible to believe, therefore, that those who are most persistent in their dmands for local autonomy are apprehensive of consequences so perilous and dire. On the contrary, the fact that a large section, 'of the Protestant community in Ireland are advocates of Home Rule would indicate the contingency of oppression andi intolerance being exceedingly remote. Tho fact is that the time is near at hand when the United) Kingdom will be severed into four different units, each with its own Parliament, with an Imperial Council, composed of representatiyes of all parts of the Empire, controlling the larger questions of State such as tariffs and defence. The severance of Ireland will only be one step in the direction of this great Imperial consummation. In

discussing tlio Homo Rule question, therefore, one lias to regard it not only from the point of view of its effect upon the unit itself, but from its probable influence in the solution of a great Imperial problem. The visit of the Irish delegates will serve a good purpose if it only assists in removing a prejudice created largely by ignorance of the facts.