THE IRISH CRISIS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 4848, 20 April 1918, Page 5

THE IRISH CRISIS.

DEBATE IN THE LORDS.

CRISIS NOT MINIMISED. THE COUNTRY’S DUTY. Australian ami N.Z. Cable Association LONDON. April 18. In tlie House of Lords, debating the Man-Power Bill, Lord Lansdowne expressed doubt as to ./ the wisdom of applying conscription* to Ireland. Lord Crewe, supporting the Bill, thought the wiser course w oil id have been to pass the Home Rule Bill a? agreed, and then appeal to the Irish public opinion for voluntary enlistment. Lord Derby said that minimising* the gravity of the situation would he disastrous, hut he was still confident of the result, which was only obtainable by fighting day and night. The country’s duty was to help the army by filling the gaps. Regarding Ireland,he remained a Unionist, though without the bitterness he felt in toe old days.

CONFERENCE IN DUBLIN. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association (Received April 19. 8.20 p.m.) LONDON, April IS. A Dublin conference of Nationalists, Sinn Eeiners, and Laborjtes for organising resistance to conscription appointed a depntat'on. consisting of De Valera. Mr. Dillon, Mr. Heady, and Mr. William O’Brien, with the Lord Mayor, to confer with the hierarchy of Maynooth.

BILL BECOMES LAW. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association LONDON. April 18. The Man-Power Bill received the Royal Assent to-dav.

DISLOYAL TQ CLAUSE OF FREEDOM. AMERICAN REPROOF TO IRELAND. Australian and N.Z. Cable Asscciaticn NEW YORK. April 17. A largely attended meeting of Irjsh-Americans passed a resolution: “We deeply deplore the attitude of those Irish who are unwilling to submit to conscription. We urge Ireland to accept the draft, and condemn as disloyal to tire cause, of freedom those who refuse to give the Allies prompt and unqualified support.” The resolution was cabled to Mr. Dillon.

PASSIVE RESISTANCE,

THE NATIONALIST ATTITUDE

Australian and N.Z Cable Association

LONDON. April 18. The Nationalists threaten to absent- themselves from Westminster until the Government .produce a measure creating an Irisb Pani..ment on a colonial basis. It. is understood the Unionist War Committee agree that the Home Rumscheme should lie of a federal character, applicable to the whole or t:,e United Kingdom. Ulster having tr.v opticn of being a separate unit. ... - Belfast shipyard workers ana discharged soldiers broke tip an In-ui Labor party anti-conscription mf£iing outside y?c City Hah.. chairman was struck on tne lieaa with a board, and tlie leaders v.me compelled to take refuge m ffiops. the interrupters cheering, singing and waving Union Jacks. quently street disturbances occurred, with stone throwing and ret on oing. The police quickly oueilec. tr.c outbreak.

SIMM FEIN. A FEDERAL REGULATION. MELBOURNE. April 3 % A War Precautions regulation cesigned to suppress Sinn Fein and other disloyal movements in Australia uas gazetted to-day. and it wul c-ome into operation forthwith. Hie regulaion is as follows: —"Any person wno by word of mouth or in writing or •T rin- act or deed (a) advocates, incites, or encourages disloyalty or h&siiiit-y to the British Empire, or who says ! -U does anything calculated to incite, encourage. or assist- such disloyalty * hostility, shall he guilty of an offence under the Ac-t. Any person wears or displays tiny # banner, emblem, or symbol, being cr purporting to he the badge, flag, banner. emblem or symbol of a country with which the King, is now at war % c*r of any body or association who are aleaffected to the British Empire, or of the society, association, or movement known as Sinn Fein, shall be guilty of an offence against the Act. . The Minister may by order in writing under his hand direct that any premises used as a place of public resort as a club, the use of which., in his opinion. is prejudicial to the public saiet-y or the defence of the Commonwealth, shall be kept closed, either altogether or during such hours, or. tor such purposes as are specified by him. auc. ir the premises are kept open in contravention of anv such direction too occupier or person haying control of the premises shall he guilty an offence against the Act. 'Where any premises have been closed in pursuance of this regulation the occupier cr person having control of the premises shall not occupy or control other premises as a place of public resort or entertainment-, or as a club, without the consent of thq. Minister. Any cfficei of the police and any person thereto authorised in writing by tne Minister may. for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of the regulation. enter if need oe bv force ana search and occupy any premises in relation to which a direction has been given.”. ~