HOME RULE.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 12757, 1 April 1914, Page 5

HOME RULE.

THE HOME RULE BILL. MOTION TO REJECT IT. By Electric Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. LONDON, March 31. Mr W. H. Long has given notice to move the rejection of the Home Rule Bill. LORD MORLEY'S EXPLANATION. Received 9.20 p.m. LONDON, March 31. In the House of Lords in a series of replies to questions Lord Morley stated that Sir Arthur Paget had not received the instructions put to hypothetical questions to officers beyond a general order granting leave to domiciled officers in Ulster if their unit was ordered to support the civil power. No instructions were given to Sir Arthur Paget. The conduct of the troops generally had been exemplary. Lord Morley related that he remained after the Cabinet meeting dispersed on Monday and Colonel Seely showed j him the proposed paragraphs. He did not perceive then and he did not perceive now that they differed in spirit and substance from the previous paragraphs sanctioned by Cabinet. Lord Morley confessed that he joined in the offence against the sound Cabinet rule that the addition was right and was not made without Cabinet.

WHY? Received 9.30 p.m. LONDON, March 31. In the House of Lords Lord Curzon asked as Colonel Seely has resigned why Lord Morley is still Minister! Lord Morley: "I shall answer that X » ! to-morrow.''

PREMIER'S EXPLANATIONS. INCOMPATIBLE WITH ESTABLISHED PACTS. Lord Selbourne thought that Mr Asquith's explanations were incompatible with established facts. He was glad the Premier was going to the War Office and probably he will get the greatest surprise in his life when he finds what his colleagues really have been doing. Mr Asquith could not have issued the statement of the 23rd if he had been fully informed. His reference to two small cruisers was incompatible with Mr Churchill's movement of the battle squadron. He asked what had Mr Churchill in mind when he contemplated the whole paraphernalia of war at a time when Ulster was profoundly tranquil and it was perfectly elear that active operations were intended leading to all the incidents of war!

WHAT HAPPENED ON THE FATEFUL DAY? Eeceived 10.15 p.m.

LONDON, March 31. Continuing, Lord Melbourne asked Government to tell what really had happened on the fateful day when Sir Arthur Paget met Colonel Seely and some of his colleagues in London, and why Sir Arthur Paget had terrible apprehensions at the mere movement of four companies? Was it intended to instruct the constabulary to search for arms and back them up by all the naval and military forces? Mr Churchill now sought to create a diversion by raising the cry of "The Army versus the People." Mr Churchill's statement that the Unionists considered it right that the soldiers should down a Radical or Labourite was a foul falsehood. Lord Robert's baseless assertions have made the Army implicated in a political conspiracy and also equally will the slanderous charges of disobedience and disregard of discipline. There was not the smallest justification for any of these incidents. The officers were asked to make their choice between two terrible alternatives and the option not sought by them was deliberately instigated by Government through Sir Arthur Paget. Government evidently realised that he was making a demand that the Army had no right to make and contemplated something unprovided in the Army Act or the King's Regulations, the answer whereto would be found in the Manual of Military Law, which says that the English law never presupposes the possibility of civil war and it does not make express provision for such contingencies.

OFFICERS AND THE ULSTER DRILLING. Lord Haldane agreed that it was wrong to bring the Army into politics. No more splendid or loyal body of men exists, but a large number of officers raised the big issue at the Curragh. They had not disobeyed orders, but had raised questions about the orders which may have been raised in Ulster. Yet it is suggested that Government's duty is to do nothing. Government has gazed with patience on the utterly illegal drilling in Ulster because it felt it was better not to interfere, but it became Government's imperative duty to have instruments on hand to maintain order if a conflict occurred. The battle squadron was sent to Lamplash as a preventative measure and was withdrawn when it was found that the troops had peaceably moved. It was deplorable that a number of unfortunate officers had b&en misled by the suggestions of the Unionist press. The sooner the incident ended the better for the Army. ,

CONSOLIDATED BILL. PASSES ALL STAGES. OPPOSITION LEADERS CHARGED WITH SEDUCTION. A motion proposing the third reading of the Consolidated Bill and the Army crisis were further debated. Mr Churchill, referring to Sir Arthur Paget's anxiety at the movement of the troops, said Sir Arthur Paget assured Government that he would not allow the troops to lire on Orangemen until the troops had been fired at for some time and had suffered effective loss. Government was absolutely bound to be prepared. It seemed to be patriotic and loyal to raise an army in Ulster, but Government precautions to support and protect troops against this army was considered a fiendish and treacherous conspiracy. He definitely changed the leaders of the Opposition of both Houses with seduction of the Army.

CHAEGE DENIED BY ME. BONAB LAW. Mr Bonar Law denied the charge. If the officers were influenced it was by Mr Churchill in his Bradford speeeh. Ministers insinuated that the blame rested on Sir Arthur Paget, but they did not dare to say it. Sir Arthur Paget said nothing, but it may have been that Government had sent a wire to him that it was concealing something. The motion was carried by 329 to 251, and passed the House of Lords in all stages.

HOUSE OF COMMONS STARTLED. AT MR. ASQUITH'S DECISION. Received 11.30 p.m. LONDON, March 31. The House of Commons was startled at Mr Asquith's dramatic decision. The Premier indicated that he would hold the position temporarily. Mr Bonar Law referred to the impropriety of Mr Asquith's absence from the Home Rule debate. Mr Asquith replied that he was close at hand and in touch with his colleagues. UNION DEFENCE FUND. Received 12.40 a.m. LONDON, March 31. The Union defence fund is £IOI,OOO. FUTILE SEARCH FOR MAXIMS. A number of Maxims packed in twenty tea chests were landed at Belfast. The authorities search was futile.

CANADIAN ORANGEMEN'S PLEDGE.« • t Received 10.10 p.m. OTTAWA, March 31. Orangemen throughout Canada are adopting resolutions pledging themselves to oppose any grant from the Dominion Government to aid the British navy until Home Rule has been submitted to the British electors.