IRISH AFFAIRS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1709, 27 December 1919, Page 5

IRISH AFFAIRS.

THE HOME RULE BILL.

By Electric Telegraph.-^Copyright.

Uiitrolian-iNew Zealand Cable Aseoci&tioi t LONDON, Dec. 23. In the House of Mr Aolund proposed that the Irish Bill bo next session Remitted to a. Select CWunifcteo of both Houses for the permanent solution of the Irish problem. He contended that the united wisdom of both Houses was better than the divided wisdom of the Government and the House. 'Jhe motion was counted out.

The Morning Post disapproves of the Bjll, particularly the clauses handing over the police to the party which is .now shooting them. The newspapers, while not optimistic; generally favour giving' 1 ; the Government’s Irish scheme a chance. The Daily News says it is certain the Bill will meet with vehement criticism from the Sinn Feinors and Ulstermen, but thinks that the question at present is whether the compromise .is a possible one. The Chronicle ays: “Lloyd George’s statement is excellent. We believe a dual system of' Home Rule is the only possible way out of the Irish tangle,” The Express says: “The Prime Minister is right in refusing to bo turned from his settled purpose by malevolent lawlessness, but the Government should vindicate the law and restore order. Only then can he press forward Home Rule without certainty of ruinous failure.” The Daily Mail states that the Government’s is the best Irish scheirfo yet. Courage, sincerity and imagination have gone bo making an Irish settlement. Freeman’s Journal’s application for an injunction against competent military authority has been dismissed.

THE ATTACK ON LORD FRENCH. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. LONDON, Doe. 23. A man - has been arrested in connection with tho attack on Lord Freiieh. A force of police, armed with carbines, f warded tho cemetery when Savage was uriod ir. the presence of his relatives. There was a largo crowd. One of the wreaths was from a battalion of the Irish Republican Army. / . COMMENT ON tfOME RULE PROPOSALS. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association, Received December 27, 9.5 a.m. ’ _ ■ LONDON, Dec. 24. Tho Irish Times states that three-quarters of the Irish people will reject tho Bill, which in principle is hateful alike to Unionists and Nationalists. Tho Irish Independent says the proposals are unjust. No nation which does not control its finances' enjoys selfgovernment. ’ The Northern Whig states the plan is 1 simply impossible. The Belfast Newsletter says lately the Government is rushing to a crisis which oan only bo solved by civil war.