THE HOME RULE PROBLEM

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3461, 13 October 1913, Page 5

THE HOME RULE PROBLEM

MR. CHURCHILL'S SPEECH DISCUSSED. VARIOUS NEWSPAPER VIEWS. IRELAND AWAITING LEADERS’ DECLARATIONS. [united press association—copyright] LONDON, Oct. 10. The newspapers are discussing Mr. Churchill’s speech. The “Times,” in a leader, says that Ulster might be excluded entirely from the Homo Rule Bill, but to make any settlement possible the agreemert must take a wider range. The essential point for Unionists is that the Imperial Parliament should give away no power which it does not precisely define and count of its own initiative, without appeal to the Court to modify, expand, or recall. On these terms Unionists might agree to the concession of even greater powers than the present Bill concedes.

The “Daily Mail” states that the spirit of Mr. Churchill’s speech has been misunderstood. Words of wisdom and appeasement have been taken to mean that the Cabinet is prepared to accept separate treatment of the North-East, recognising that Ulster cannot be dragooned. < The “Daily News” denies that tho Government is willing to compromise on the basis of exclusion. Any attempt to dismember Ireland on religious lines must be dismissed.

The “Chronicle” states that Irish Unionists are proclaiming Mr Churchill’s refernceis as a victory for Sir E. Carson, and it is evidently impossible for the Government to make further approaches. Ulster Nationalist and Unionist newspapers state that' Ireland is awaiting declarations by the leaders. Mr. Dillon, interviewed, said that the proposal to exclude part of Ulster was suggested solely as a means of wrecking Home Rule. The idea of lopping off a part was unworkable and grotesque. It would be regarded as indicating the Cabinet’s fears. Hesi-

tation would only inflame UisL afresh.

LORD GREY'S OPPOSITION TC THE BILL. AN EXPLANATORY SPEECH. ("Received 0:-t. 12. 5.5 p.m.") LONDON, Oct. 12. Earl Grey, explaining his opposition to Home Rule, says the present scheme differs widely from Canada’s, beeajise it is based on the assumption that Ireland is a separate nationality. If the people of Ireland have the right' of refusing to be governed from London, the people of Ulster are entitled to refuse to be governed from Dublin. The population of the north-east corner of Ulster exceeds that of seven out of nine of the Canadian provinces, the whole of New Zealand, or 21 out of the 49 States of America. It wou.d be a crime to compel Ulster to accept Dublin rule. Beac-onsfield and Chamberlain favored applying the Federal principle to Ireland, and the Unionists should accept Mr. Churchill’s invitation to seriously consider the Federal solution, which is within the field of practical politics.