DEPUTATION TO MR BALFOUR.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LIII, Issue 9304, 21 March 1907, Page 5

DEPUTATION TO MR BALFOUR.

ORAGNISING AGAINST HOME RULE.

[PKESS ASSOCIATION.!

LONDON, March 20.

Lotd Aberdeen introduced to Mr Balfour fifty delegates representing the Unionist organisation in Ireland, urging the need of combatting schemes in the direction of Home Rule,

Mr Bailfour justified the Local Government Act as the outcome of a sound, farsighted Unionist policy. Th© information he had gathered from all quarters showed tihat the dominant party in Ireland used it as a great electoral machine to promote the National interests, while community interests were fatally sacrificed. The inference was clear that those proving unworthy of the trust conferred upon them in small matters could not- be given charge of l&Tgir. ■'

Mr BaJfour, continuing, said tihe Government's" policy was a deliberate and intentional fraud npon the electorates. They aimed at a certain object, but, believing the leap required was beyond the will or the strength of tiie people, they meant ix> take twfc> steps instead of one, but they meant to got there.

Their attitude regarding the House of Lords, he said, disclosed a criminal legislative conspiracy. They attacked tha House of Ixxtds professedly because it amended ihe Education Bill, which nobody wanted. The real attack was because it \nas the one barrier preventing the Constitution be ing thrown in the crucible after every general election.

He did not believe tihe electorates had changed one atom, but wore as detexmined as 'ever to ivsist the ultimate goal so tortitouSy'sougKt by the Government.

The /Unionists relied on the commonsense and patriotism of tihe nation to avert fch© peril They knew Home Rule meant the ruin of the great commercial interests of Ulster and unmerited injury to the loyal minority throughout Ireland. It meant, he said in conclusion, tihe greatest blow at the prosperity and, gireatness of the Empire.