HOME RULE BILL

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10608, 15 April 1912, Page 5

HOME RULE BILL

CABLE NEWS

(United Frm Auociatidn—Bs Sl** trie TeUtraph—Goptpight.),

A SIGNIFICANT OMISSION

AX OBSTACLE TO FEDERALISM

(Received Last Night, 5.5 o'clock.)

LONDON, April 13. Tho absence of reference to general devolution.-in tho preamble to the Homo Rule Bill is commented upon aa it was understood a few weeks ago that thin would Ik) included. Many Liberals are prepared to ac-c-3pt the Bill ias the beginning of a Federal scheme, but consider the giving of power to vary the Customs and excise will be an obstacle to Federalism. If England, Scotland, and Wales were similarly invested, it would croat o hopeless confusion. Tho measure lias aroused little enthusiasm in Dublin. The criticism in Ireland centres on the questions of a> nominated Senate. | and the financial, provisions. . | A few Nationalists share the opin- [ iom of the Freemen's Journal that the average view is that tho Bill is j neither bold nor generous. i Disappointment is expressed at the refusal of fiscal autonomy. Members of the Sinn Fein reject the Bill with conitemipt. The Nationalists intend to attempt In Committee to secure power to deal with lands purchase. They ibeliove that they will be able to arrange tin's, with the aid of the Government. Mr Keir Hardie, .speaking at Banbury, declared that the Government was growing stale. Ho was doubtful if it would last for two years. It was necessary to carry Homo Rule. Mr William O'Brien intends calling a Convention! in the Cork districts to enlist sympathy with bis policy, and to consider the Bill.

IN THE LOBBIES

(Received April 13, 8.5 a.m.)

LONDON, April 12. Lobby comments reveal no signs of a Liberal cave.

Sir Clifford Cory (Liberal member for. the St. Ives Division of Corn-wall) hit-rinds to vote against the. Bill. Two other Liberals,are.-doubtful. . . The Eadibals-criticise the nominated; Senate, and suggest as. an alternative .a - -Chamber elected by proportional representation.

THE FINANCIAL PROPOSALS

(Received April 13, 8.5 a.m.)

LONDON, April 12. The Right Hon. Sir Herbert Samuel, Postmaster-General, will explain the financial proposals of the Home Rule Bill in the House on Monday.

WHAT THE PRIME MINISTER WILL PROPOSE.

"PREFERENCE FOR IRISH

SPIRITS,

(Received April 13, 11.45 a.m;) j , LONDON, April 12. Some members of the House of Commons were convulsed with laughter at Mr Asquitli's admission that Savings Bank depositors would receive six months' notice to enable them to withdraw their money in the event of an Irish Government assuming control of the bank. Mr Asquith stated that if ever Ireland could manage to more than pay her way for three years running he would arrange for an Irish contribution to assist to diminish the two -millions deficit. Mr Asquith did not mention the judiciary, but said it- was the Government's intention to safeguard the pensions of new Judges, to be appointed by the Lords-Lieutenant on the Irish. Executive's advice. Critics state that the freedom of tho Irish Legislature in connection with excise would enable it to confer a preference on Irish spirits by tho re- I duction of duty.

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

FINANCIAL PROPOSALS ORTHGESED.

(Received April 13, 8 a.m.)

LONDON April 12. The Times states that a Federation Bill is the anly excuse for the retention of forty-two Irishmen at West.minster, whose function would be to vote for large subsidies for Ireland. A Senate .nominated first by the Government in alliance with the Nationalists, and shortly by the Irish Executive, would bo a ridiculous protection for- tho Unionist minority. The Times also states that Mr Asquith failed to explain that tho Imperial Parliament was really making an annual grant of two millions. The Standard declares that the financial proposals are a. combination of mudd'a and fraud. . The net result is ' .that Great Britain gives tho Trish Exchequer two millions a year, and Ireland gets an army and navy for less than nothing. The Chronicle says that tho complexity of the Bill is a merit. It shows tliiit tho details have been well considered. Tho newspaper dislikes tho idea of a nominated Senate. Colonial experience, it says, has shown that it is incompatible with democracy, and aa objectionable precedent for tho reform of tho House of Lords. The Daily News states that the Bill is ba.sed on largo, liberal lines. It regrets that Ireland is not given tho

full control of the Customs and Excise. Tho Westminster Gazetto disapproves the nominated Senate.

ENGLAND PAYS; IRELAND GOVERNS. VIEWS FOR AND AGAINST.

(Received April 13, 11.45 a.m.)

LONDON, April 12. The Pall Mall Gazette says that the main effect of rthe Bill is that England pays without governing; Ireland governs without paying. The Westminster Gazette says the Bill firmly unites ilic supporters of the principle of Homo 'Rule. Freeman's Journal says the Bill is the boldest and most generous measure yet introduced. The Cork Frc-e'Press says that as a permanent system the measure does ■ ii6t. sbtfe the Irish problem.; - ; , '■\ '■' The Irish Times '■'declares: it-hat- the. Bill utterly 'unworkable, as it does not offer a. middle course between separation- and return 1 to the "otaius of union. ' - ' ! The Irish Independent cannot regard the scheme as final, though it gives three-quarters of what was expected The Northern Whig (Belfast.) stales that the Bill is more illogical and complicated than Mr Gladstone's proposals, and is conceived maraud.