HOME BOLE

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1360, 10 February 1912, Page 5

HOME BOLE

MR. CHURCHILL'S SPEECH, PASSIONATE FEELING. BILL SKETCHED. MR. REDMOND ACCEPTS. By TelceriDh-Prcsi Association-CoDyright London, February S. Mr. Winston Churchill's train reached Belfast in pouring rain. Tlio car in which he rode was inscribed surreptitiously in blood red letters "No Home Rule." There was booing and cheering at the station. An Orange crowd carried Mr. Churchill's effigy on a polo. Lord Londonderry and Sir Edward Carson are in Belfast taking every precaution to preserve order. The principal marquee is surrounded by mounted soldiers and infantry. Bridges dividing tho Nationalist and Orange quarters are strongly guarded. Mr. Winston Churchill had a rapturous reception. In his speech he said it was vital that imperial and national Parliamentary business should be divided. The Government's Jiill would fit the general scheme of Parliamentary devolution and ultimate imperial federation. The Protestant fears of persecution were groundless. The Crown, he declared, was able to refuse its assent to unjust laws. The Imperial Government would carry out the Jaml purchase, and old-age pensions and Irish representation at Westminster would L>o reduced. Mr. John Redmond, M.P., in moving a vote of thanks, said: "I accept every word." (Bee. February 9, 11.20 p.m.) London, February 0. When Mr. Churchill left the hotel ten thousand people had gathered in the vicinity. The constabulary had difficulty in clearing a passage and Mr. Churchill's car was almost overturned. The crowd uttered fearful menaces and imprecation?, and on the whole it was a grim demonstration of passion. Mr. Churchill gave no sign of flinching and took the hostility very calmly. As he entered the Nationalist quarter the. scene was changed. His reception was a most remarkable one. Benedictions were showered upon him from windows, and not a groan was anywhere heard. Effigies of Lord Londonderry and Sir Edward Carson, labelled: "Turncoats," "Traitors," were hanging from various points. Tho meeting proved peaceful and tame. Rain, fell throughout. At tho conclusion of tho meeting an enormous crowd of TJlstermcn awaited Mr. Churchill's return, but making a detour, ho went to the railway station and departed for England. The only interruptions at the] mooting came from Suffragettes. Mr. Churchill said that on the eve of the Home Rule Bill the leaders of Irish public opinion had been consulted, but it would be a British Government Bill. The settlement of tho long-standing quarrel between England and Ireland would be a victory worthy to stand with Trafalgar and Waterloo. Every part of the Empire and the United States would applaud it. The efficiency of the Imperial Parliament demanded tho division of local and Imperial affairs. The Government recognised that Ireland stood in a different position to other parts of tho kingdom. A measure applicable' to Scotland and Wales would not bo applicable to tho nerds of Ireland, but the Irish Home Rulo plan would consistently fit a. general scheme of Parliamentary devolution and harmonise with designs of an ultimate- federation of the Empire. Tho Irish Parliament would be so constituted, both as regards the Commons and the Senate, as fairly representative of Protestant , ; and Catholics, of minorities even more than of majorities. The religious oppression which Ulstermen feared would not occur. The Crown had power to refuse assent to any unjust Bill, and the Imperial Parliament would be able to repeal, or enact another law, if a law made by the Irish Parliament transgressed the Home Rule Bill, and the Privy Council would declare it void. All military forces would remain under Imperial control. The Government was not deterred by tho financial difficulties, but would give the Irish Parliament a real responsibility in regard to finance, with reasonably wide powers of new taxation. Ulster was in no danger of invidious taxation, and Homo Itule would not interrupt tho beneficial process of land purchase or old age pensions. Tho Irish financial system must bo consistent with the United Kingdom's finances. Ireland's economic <lependeuco upon England was absolute. Tho talk of separation was vain and idle chatter. The speaker appealed to Unionists, to the overseas Imperialists, and to Ulster itself to win tho prize- of Irish pence. "Let Ulster tight for reconciliation and the forgiveness of ancient wrongs," exclaimed Mr. Churchill, "and then indeed (quoting Lord Randolph Churchill), 'Ulster will fight and Ulster will be right." , Mr. Redmond, in moving a vote of thanks to Mr. Churchill, said tho moment tho Irish Parliament attempted to abuse its powers by inflicting injustice on men because of their creed it would be the bounden duty of the Imperial Parliament to assert its authority. He believed the anti-Home Rulers were a minority in Ulster, in Britain, and in the Empire. The Home Rulers desired a settlement with their Protestant countrymen, and desired to take their rightful place in the Empire. Ireland had been a weakness, and would remain a weakness, of the Empire until her rights were conceded. Belfast was quiet last night, elaborate police and military precautions having been taken to prevent rowdyism. Sir Edward Carson, in a letter to the Unionist Council, congratulated the Ulslier men on the peaceful termination of a provocative situation.