DEBATE IN THE LORDS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLII, Issue 9413, 16 December 1921, Page 5

DEBATE IN THE LORDS.

LORD CARSON'S OUTBURST. TIRADE AGAINST GOVERNMENT. LONDON, Dee. 14. In the House of Lords, Lord Morley, m moving the Address-in-Reply, said lie did not envy any Englishman or Irishman who refused to re-echo the sentiments expressed by the King regarding the .reconciliation between Britain and Ireland. He did not think the Government of Ireland during past years has been such as the political conscience could approve. He pleaded for a continuance of the same spirit which made to-day the most historic and memorable among the spacious moments of our history. Lord Dunraven, m seconding the motion, said he would devote what little time remained to ihim to doing his best to make thiß great instrument of reconciliation fulfil all its authors ; could desire. He believed that m a little while they would find all Irishmen helping one another. Lord Crewe said it could fairly be claimed that the Treaty was not sepa--1 ratist m any way. He hoped that Irishmen and Ulstermen would make 1 the best of things, and see whether 1 they were not able to cany out the agreement m a manner which would not harm themselves civilly or x»ljg- ( lkmsly. : Lord Curam said the chief credit ; for the settlement lay with the Prime . Minister. When thingß were at their i worst Mr Lloyd George had never d&---i spaired. The agreement meant peace with honour for Ireland, as she had . obtained the status of a 'Dominion and all the attributes and prerogatives of • self-government. Lord Carson denounced the proposals i m .regard to Ireland as treachery, and I as marking the obsequies of the Union- ' iafc Party. It was dead and buried without consultation with its followers by tis leaders and trustees, who. were sent into the Government to protect 1 them. The Prime Minister was oon-

ceding to Ireland what he had frequently and - solemnly declared could never be granted consistently with the safety of the Empire. "If these things are to be done without consulting the country, let us at once establish, an autocracy m Downing Street, and do away with the Lords and Commons." Lord Carson said there had never been a greater outrage attempted upon constitutional liberty! Did the Government think the country would be taken m by this manufactured glorification of what the Government was pleased to call a Treaty? * The terms were passed with a revolyer at the head of the Government^ because the Government knew Sinn Fein had beaten them. It was an awful confession to make to the Empire. From beginning to end of the document there was nothing except England beaten to her knees by gunmen and assassins. "England now say© she is willing to scuttle and leave everybody who has supported her to the tender mercies of the assassins. "What a fool I hay^ been m the past I have been a puppet, and so has Ulster, to get the Conservative Party into power. The most loathsome are those who have sold their friends for the purpose of conciliating their enemies. This constant preaching at Ulster is nauseating. Ulster has stuck only too well to England, and because she is loyal, you kick her as you like. I promise you, Ulster will keep out of the Irish Union m spite of the bogey that she will have to pay more if she keeps out. You have tried to make Ulster's position impossible. I believe you have told the Sinn Fein delegates to do so. Why has Sinn Fein been given an army, if not to invade Ulster ? Is it to invade America or the Isle of Man?" Lord Carson, m conclusion, warned the Government not to do anything to stir Ulster against the Empire. "Do recognise we have tried to help you. Do not do anything to turn us out." The House of Lords adjourned.