MORE HOPEFUL

Auckland Star, Volume XLV, Issue 79, 2 April 1914, Page 5

MORE HOPEFUL

ULSTER OUTLOOK. SPIRIT OF REASON. THE FEDERAL SOLUTION. UNIONISTS FAVOUR PRINCIPLE ARMY ASH THE STRUGGLE. OBEDIENCE OR DISMISSAL. SIB E. GREY ON COERCION. (By Cable.—Press AaroclaHon.—Copyright) (Received 11.50 a.m.) LONDON, April 1. The Stock Exchange is cheerful in tone owing to the better political outlook, and to money being cheaper. In the House of Commons to-day Mr John Dillon said that Home Rule was debated yesterday in a spirit of sweet reasonableness and conciliation and with an evident desire for settlement. If that spirit were to be maintained boih sides must drop the army question. The Opposition should abandon it« Hyde Park demonstration next Saturday. SIR A. H. PAGET'S QUESTION. Jlr Reginald McKenna (Home Secretary) in the House of Commons said that General Sir A. H. Paget, commanding the troops in Ulster, had informed the Premier that the only question to put to the general officers was whether they were ready to place duty before all other considerations. It was not General Pagefs intention that they should put this question to their subordinates.

He announced that officers domiciled in Ulster would be temporarily exempted in the event of operations, but others declining duty would incur dismissal. Mr Wm. O'Brien, the independent Nationalist leader, said that bo did not oppose the federal solution, hut would not consent to Ulster's exclusion. Thn whole of Ireland was opposed to the Government's solution of the problem. SCEPTICAL UWIOSTSTS. The -Tall Mall Gazette" says that the belief in the possibility of settlement is found chiefly in Ministerialist ranks. While many Unionists favour federalism in principle, the majority are sceptical of its practicability. There i≤ a general feeling that the fight should proceed on the old lines. The polling for the East Fife seat rendered vacant by Mr. Asquith's temporary retirement, will be taken on April 15. At a meeting of the National Liberal Club yesterday. Lord Lincolnshire presiding, a resolution was carried to the effect that Liberals viewed with indignation the unpatriotic attempts of the Tory party to corrupt the army and use it as an instrument for the defeat of Parliamentary government. Mr Asquith's name was loudly cheered at the end of the meeting, and enthusiastic cheers were also given for the King.