IRELAND.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXII, Issue LXXII, 23 May 1917, Page 5

IRELAND.

THE PROPOSED CONVENTION

VIEWS OF PARTY LEADERS

THE SUGGESTION WELCOMED

BUT DOUBTS AS TO SUCCESS

EXPRESSED

BT CABL3—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGH'I. LONDON, May 22. In the House of Commons, Mr Lloyd George referred to the successive failures of attempts by English Governments to secure an Irish settlement. He had, therefore, decided to invite .Irishmen to put forward proposals and try their own hands at forming an instrument for government. The experiment had succeeded in the Dominions,' and he could not help thinking that what had succeeded there was achievable in Ireland.. He therefore proposed to summon immediately a convention of Irishmen in Ireland to submit to the British Government and Parliament a constitution for the government of Ireland within the Empire. The convention must be representative of all classes and interests, including the Sinn Feiners, and must really represent Irish life and activities in all their forms. It was suggested that the chairman should be nominated by the Crown, and that the terms of reference should be those contained in his letter to Mr Redmond. The parties entering the convention were pledged to no conclusion, but each man was pledged to do his best, as an Irishman, a patriot, and a man of honor, to settle the controversy. If a substantial agreement were reached the Imperial Government would accept the responsibility of taking all necessary steps to give legislative effect thereto. The Government felt that a settlement would/ materially help the successful conclusion of the war. Irishmen. had a passionate love for liberty, and he wanted them ranged on the side of the Allies, and not torn by conflicting emotions. We should need all our strength to win a triumph worthy of the sacrifices made by the Empire, and could not afford to have this uncured sore that sapped its vigor. He appealed to their patriotic spirit for help and healing. Mr Redmond said the proposal was entirely novel. He was willing to agree to a limited representation of the Irish Party and an equally large representation of Ulster, as well as generous representation of Sinn Feiners. He approved of the proposal to have a small nominated element, also that the Crown should nominate the chairman. He was sure in his hope that the result of the conference would be blessed for Ireland and the Empire, and he whole-heartedly Hoped it would be animated by a true spirit of conciliation among all Irishmen. Sir J. B. Lonsdale, speaking for the Ulster party, said the proposal would be submitted to Ulster with a recommendation to carefully consider the same. The people would be guided by the same patriotic motives which had always guided them, and, though not sanguine of the result, he and his colleagues would not take the responsibility of closing the door of experiment. Sir Edward Carson said that whether Ulster participated in the conference or not, she will not be influenced by threats. He would be with Ulster to the end. Mr William O'Brien, while welcoming the proposal, warned the Government of the great difficulties to be overcome in the selection of the personnel of the convention. Mr Asquith pointed out that there was no dissent from the Government proposals, On the contrary, a large part of the Irish nation heartily embraced them. Sir Edward Carson said he found no reason to modify his opinion. He had always held' that the best solution of the problem was the maintenance of the union. He urged that if the convention met, delegates should attend without set proposals. In the House of Lords, Viscount Curzon emphasised that the war alone had led the Government to try to solve the Irish difficulty. It would be a national misfortune if one of the Irish parties stood out from the convention. . Lord Middleton said he was not going to treat the convention as a foredoomed failure, but the only peaceful solution he and his friends would accept would be one that would be enduring. Just let the Government scrap the past history, so that the Nationalists would not only receive but would also give. He and his friends would not go to the convention with a rope round their necks. Lord Lansdowne repudiated the charge that he wrecked the last attempt at a settlement, which failed because he could not settle the details. Opinions in Ireland had since hardened against partition, and he was not hopeful regarding the conference, but if it failed it would be Ireland's fault. The Sinn Fein Committee has issued a manifesto, which states that it distrusts the convention proposed, as the Government has already pledged its support to a small section of the Irish who refuse to abide by the decision of their fellow countrymen. This precludes the possibility of a settlement by means of a convention. Such convention, if held, must be free from English influence, vand frefe, if it so desires, to declare complete independence of Ireland.