THE IRISH BILL.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 April 1920, Page 2

THE IRISH BILL.

DEBATE IN HOUSE OF COMMONS (Imperial News Service).

(Received this day at 10.20 a.m LONDON, March 31. In the House of Commons, ,tlie Irish debate was resumed. Mr A®quith disagreed, with the view tha.t order must be restored before constitutional changes could be considered. He expressed tlie opinion that the root of the mischief would not be touched until they made wide reforms in the system of Government, and the general co-operation of Irishmen is enlisted in the enforcement of the law*,. He recalled liis pledge that the vast majority of the people of Ireland should have an Irish legislature, with an Irish Execu-

tive, subject to the necessary safeguards for Imperial supremacy, and protection of the Irish minority. Replying to an interjection by Hon Bonar. Law, Mr Asquith said his pledge involved a grant of a parliament to the whole of Ireland. The Bill was cumbrous, costly and unworkable, and was not demanded or supported by any section of Ireland. He suggested that the Home Rule Bill should be retained, but amended in some of the most vital particulars. For example, the powers of the Irish Parliament and Executive under the Act should be enlarged so as to give them practically Dominion status, though he admitted the geographical contiguity of Irealnd made an important difference' in her position, particularly in a military sense, from the Dominions. He also suggested executive financial adjustments and county option in Ulster. Hon. Bonar Law emphasised that Government were compelled to introduce the Bill at present, because otherwise the Home Rule Act would automatically come into operation; also Ulster must not be brought under a Dublin Parliament, except by. lier own

free will. The Bill ,was intended to cive Ireland the largest measure of Home Rule compatible with national security and pledges given. Mr Asquith’s suggestion did not mean that Dominion Home Rule, the essence of which was dominions’ control of their fighting forces, whereas Mv Asquith

proposed to reserve the armed forces. The connection of the Dominions with the Empire depended on the Dominions, and if anyone chase to-morrow to snv they will no longer remain part of the Empire, we should not try to force them. Dominion Home Rule meant the right to decide their own destiny. This was demanded by the legal representatives of the Irish people, and for Mr Asquith to say he was prepared to give Dominion Home Rule must mean nothing less than that he was prepared to give an Irish Republic. There was no difference between honestly granting Dominion Home Rule and openly giving self-determination to the elected representatives of Southern Ireland. Ho challenged the Labourites to say whether they meant, if the elected representatives of Ireland wanted a Republic, they would give them a Republic.

SECOND READING CARRIED. (■Received this dav at- 9.20 a.m.l LONDON, March 31. The Homo Rule Bill, second reading, was carried by 348 to 94.

(Imperial News Service). (Received this day atr 1.6 p.m.) LONDON March 31. Hoh Bonar Law, continued the debate said if the Bill became law and Sinn Feiners refuse to work Parliament provision could be made in the 'Bill for an immediate reversion to the present position. If the whole of southern Ireland would have only a Republic, no settlement was possible. If, however, y there' was a large sane element amongst population he did not believe with Parliament operating in another part of Ireland they would refuse to work the southern Parliament. i Mr Devlin strong attacked the Bill. They might, send the whole army and navy to Ireland, but might was right ■ only for a time. A nation’s hearts’ desire was only satisfied by the recogniton of the spirit of justice, concession and freedom. 1 While recording his unalterable opposi.x 1 i. n I*LaP Tlatyio T?nln

lion U> Wit! YVUUItJ JJUUUU UI liviuo Al/lllVand disclaimng responsibility for the scheme, Sir E. Carson said it would have been easy for him to say he would continue to fight to a finish, but the cardinal facts were the Act of 1914 on the statute hook and the pledges given Ulster. Many of his old friends were calling him a' traitor, because he was not fighting to the end, but he had been offered a Parliament for six counties and could not ask Ulster to get rifles and fight for what they were offered peacably. Re wouid not vote for tho Bill, but would not prevent its passing. He challenged Labour to go to the country with the announced determination to drive Ulster under a Sinn Fein Parliament, or give Ireland an act uni potential republic.