IRELAND EXCLUDED FROM COMPULSION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 16, 19 January 1916, Page 5

IRELAND EXCLUDED FROM COMPULSION.

STRONG PROTEST FROM UNIONIST MEMBERS.

MB. REDMOND EXPLAINS NECESSITY OF EXCLUSION. A THOUSAND IRISH RECRUITS WANTED WEEKLY. LONDON, January 18. When the Military Service Compulsion Bill reached the committee stage in the House of Commons, Sir. J. Chambers, Unionist member for South Belfast, moved to include Ireland in the scope of the bill. He said he was anxious to remove the stigma on Ireland. The call came to every class in the Empire, and the exclusion of Ireland was a reproach ana a disgrace. Colonel Craig, Unionist member for East Down, urged Nationalists to reconsider the bilL Ireland could provide half-a-mililon soldiers. Mr. Bonar Law, Secretary of State for the Colonies, said that if a principle were involved there could be no justification for the exclusion of Ireland, but the only purpose of the bill was to get the necessary armies with the least friction and division of the nation. He did not believe it possible to apply the bill to Ireland without a considerable amount of force. Ho loathed the pssibility of party strife. In connection with the war there was perhaps more than enough to do to fight the enemy. There would be time to fight each other later. IMPRACTICABLE, XTNTWORKABLE, AND KVTPOSSIBZ/E. Sir Edward Carson said he desired the inclusion of Ireland, but he would not delay the bill and weaken the country's position by pressing the amendment if the Nationalists would not comply with it. Mr. Redmond, the Nationalist leader, said he deplored the situation, but conscription for Ireland was impracticable, unworkable, and impossible. Instead of increasing the army it would have the opposite effect and strengthen the contemptible minority of Nationalists who were consistently discouraging recruiting and undermining the Irish party. The War Office had asked Ireland for 1,000 recruits weekly, and recruiting was proceeding satisfactorily. Continuing, Mr. said that Ireland's attitude had been almost miraculous. Some 00,000 men had been recruited since the war broke out, making 151,143 Irishmen for the army. Ireland stood to-day with the Empire, and the good effect was felt in every corner of the globe. A large proportion of the Australian, Canadian, and South African soldiers were Irishmen. There was a wave of enthusiasm among the Irish everywhere of incalculable value to the Empire, especially in America. He urged the House not to drive Ireland and lose the strength, arising from the transformation of Irish opinion. AMENDMENT REJECTED WITHOUT DIVISION. Mr. Chambers' amendment was aegatived without a division. Mr. Bonar Law said the most terrible tragedy of the war was the sacrifice of 18-year-old officers. The necessity of getting adequate numbers prevented the Government accepting the amendment not to apply compulsion to those under 21, but none would be called up under 19. 'This amendment was thereupon negatived. The Government accepted an amendment to exempt those married before November 2 last.