HOME RULE.

Mataura Ensign, 21 July 1914, Page 5

HOME RULE.

A "COMMAND" CONFERENCE

AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE,

•T BLECTRIO TELEGRAPH COPTEIGHT PEB UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION. LONDON, July 20. Th" King has invited members of the Government, Opposition, Nationalist and Irish Unionists to a conference at Buckingham Palace to-morrow, each party to have two representatives. Rt. Hon. 11. H. Asquith (Prime Minister) and Rt. lion. D. Lloyd George (Chancellor <:f the Exchequer) ({government), the Marquis of Lansdowne (Leader of the Opposition in the House of Lords) and Mr Honar Law, 'Leader of the Opposition in the House of Commons) 'Opposition), 'Mr J. E. Redmond' (Leader of the Nationalist Party) and Mr J. Dillon (Nationalist member for M,ayo East) (Nationalists), and 'Sir Edward Carson and Captain Craig, M.P. (Ulster leaders) have been selected.

CHANCE IN SITUATION. PRESS ACCLAUISCONFEIIFIN'CE. LONDON, July 20. The Kind's invitation 'to the party leaders was ;*iven on the Prime Minister's advice, although, the suggestion probably originated svith his Majesty himself. This explains the delay/ in his departure for Portsmouth, and is the outcome of the feverish activity in Ministerial circles during the last few da vs.

The newspapers describe the conference as effecting a complete change in the, immediate situation.

The Opposition was not consulted beforehand, but the Unionist and Ulster leaders instantly responded to the Royal summons, and declare that they are rc.-olvod to do their utmost- to itiake the conference a success. Mr J. Dillon was chosen as Mr J. Redmond's companion because lie represent. 1 ? more especially the older generation of Home Rulers.

The 'Daily News' i'G.l was apparently una ware of the Kino:'.? invitation when it stated that the Unionists 1 would require stronger evidence than the fact chat the Kino; had delayed his journey to Portsmouth before it would believe that ho \vaf. disposed to exceed: his constitutional functions. Even if such a thing were conceivable, a new situation would no doubt ar>>e, completely blotting out the Irish .question.

The 'Daily Citizen' (Labor) .cay»; '"flip Cabinet's secret was closely kept, and none outside , the charmed circle knows. what is the exact purport of tht eonferenee; but Mr Asquith'r, statement to-day reveata an unexpected, and dramatic development. The week-end's events have been full of significance, including pourparlers between the party leaders. The Nationalists' mercurial spirits are varying from gloom- to assurance, ana the Prime Minister's constant attendance on the King siiows that things have been, vapidly moving behind the scenes."

'The Times' (Independent) acclaims the invitation to a conference as a wise, proper and statesmanlike step and one more likely to extricate the country from imminent peril than- any other M.nrse. "The application of the principle," it continues, "should: more often bo happily brought in to terminate deadlocks im industrial disputes, and the intervention of a -superior, independent and disinterested authority ssught in order to amicably' bring parties together and by free discussions come to an understanding. Incases of %rcat pnlitical parties involved in dan7crr,ns deadlocks liko the- present no >ne but the Sovereign- could nlay that part, as ho alone stands in a position of superior authority, prestige and absolute impartiality. This event is calrad.itcd to strengthen constitutional monarchy to the bone-lit of tiia nation."

The 'Morning Post' (0.) says: ''The o ris:s has taken a new and immensely .••.iKniftcant turn. The hope v.ill be general that his OJajcsty's influence will suffice to achieve the tru'y national end in favcr ef wbi'h that- influence- is to 1)0 exerted." Ihe writer, however, conclude?; hv warning the leaders against excessive optimism regarding the, outcome of the conference. 'The Daily Mn:l' (0.) says: "All parties to the conference will'he expected to sui render something. The time limit iir the Amending Bill is already dead, inasmuch as it has. been tacitly abandoned by the Liberals. The area limit presents greater diifteiiHies. Any proposals to divide Tyrone cr include: it. in the Home Rule area "would arouse astorm which would be beyond: Sir E. Cation's power to allay."

A FORMER PARALLEL. LONDON, Julv 20. The nearest parallel to the ' King's action. was that of Qucon Victoria, during the franchise crisis of l&M." :;uggesting at the end cf October that "a conference between the leaders of- the parties of both House- be held. This terminated the deadlock by November '2i ; also Kins Edward snminoningLord Lansdowne <l«rithe Budget controvrrsy of IDO.O, after leading politicians on both sides had visited his Majesty.

TO EFFECT A SETTLEMENT. LONDON, July 20. Mr Asquith and Mr Botiar Law's interviews towards the end of last week were almost wholly restricted to detail? of the various proposals concerning area exclusion. Nothing was then said about j> conference.

Th« Prime .Minister and Mr Lloyd f.Vorge have now relinquished all other -work in order to concentrate their effoi';S towards cilccting a settlement.

LABOR'S CONDEMNATION. Received July 21. 11.30 a.m. LONDON, July 20.' Member:' e.f the Labor Party bitterly rmilemn the T'aiace Conference. Many Liberals are very critical, fearing that the conference tvill bt* made a prccadent. Th?y expect the conference to fail.

AMENDING BILL WITHDRAWN. Received July 21. 11.SO n.m. jON DON, July 20. The Amending Bill has been withdrawn until the appeal to the const itu-er-i'ks in October.

NO ABROGATION. Received Jn'v 21. 11 .'',o a m. LOXDOX, July 21. lif ill? Hour.? of Lords, replying to Lord Courtney of Pen with, the Marquis of Crewe (Leader) af!i":nedi that the conference was no abrogation of Ministerial responsibility and il'.ore was no in'cntieiv to supersede Parliamentary authority. •

PRIME MINISTER EXPLAINS,

HUBBUB IX THE HOUSE.

deceived Jtil v 21. 11.10 a.m

n LONDON, July 20. Thp House or Commons whs crowded when Rt. Hon. H. H. Afiquiih (Prime .Minister) said ho was authorised by the Kins to state that in view of the grave situation lie thought it right to .summon representatives of all parties to a conference at the Palace with the object of discussing outstanding questions relating,to the Government of Ireland. Eight representatives (as previously cabled) had accented the invitation. The Speaker (lit. Hon. J. TV. Lowther) would preside over the proceedings which will begin to-morrow.."

Mr Bonar Law (Leader of the, Opposition) intimated that in loyalty lie had accepted the invitation. ' "

Mr Redmond (Nationalist leader) said, "My colleagues and myself take no responsibility for the calling of this convention. Ido not think lam called upon..to express an opinion whether the will be useful" or the contrary. The invitations, were accepted as a Royal command. A hubbub arose when Mr L. Ginliell (Independent Nationalist member for North Westmenth) asked Mr Asquith what precedent or authority he had for advising the King to place himself af. the head of a conspiracy to defeat th| House- of Commons' decision? A ' Mr AsqflSth did not rcnly.

" RESTLESSNESS AND ANXIETY." ST EI/EOTBIO TELEGRAPH COPTEIGHT. TIMES AND SYDNET SUN SERVICES; LONDON, July 19. Mr T. P. O'Connor (Nationalist member for fclie Scotland division of .Liverpool) in an article in ' Reynolds' Newspaper' says: "We are in the mood of travellers after a long voyage. The Homo Rule ship has arrived' in the harbor and will soon bo berthed. Restlessness and acute anxiety prevail. We must reject Sir E. Carson's demand for all of Ulster even at the risk of facing Sir E. Carson's rifles." TRADE UNION'S RESOLUTION. LONDON, July 20. The National Executive of the Irish Trade Union Congress at Dublin nrotestod - against the exclusion of Ulstcianr.l summoned the workers of Ulster to resist the Provisional Government if it is established.

EFFECT OF EXCLUSION. 'Received July 21, 8 30 a.m. LONDON, July 20. Hostility to Ulster i« not very prevalent in South-west Ireland, though it is thoughfc-exclusifjti of that province from the Home Rule Bill will exasperate all the other classes. if Simple people ;:till regard the preparations in Ulster with- a smile.