HOME RULE.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 12758, 2 April 1914, Page 5

HOME RULE.

PROSPECTS OF SETTLEMENT ON FEDERAL LINES. DIVISION ON MONDAY NIGHT. Electric Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. LONDON, April 1. The Home hu le division has been irrangcd to take p^ ce on Monday light. Sir E. Grey's allusion to li federal olution is regarded in the lobbies as' in indication that it has improved he prospects of a settlement by conent. Unionist papers note the changed emperature as indicated by the pcech.

A meeting of fifty Unionists in the House of Commons favoured a settlement on federal lines.

SIR E. GREY'S VIEWS. Received 9.20 p.m. Sir E. Grey speaking as leader of the House said he did not know T the last word absolutely had been said by Government but beyond the sexennium Government was not prepared to go. The country must settle the question at the end of the sexennium. Government would not agree to any settlement that would not place the Bill in the Statute Book. Force had not provided a solution in the past and he looked with the gravest reluc : tance, almost despair, at any solution of the Ulster question by force. The embarkation of a policy of actual coercion to make Ulster submit to an authority which was determined to resist force was a grave, serious and ominous thing. He had never contemplated the use of force until after the election. He could not conceive any Government embarking on such a policy without consulting the country. If a« provisional Government were established in Ulster or a disturbance occurred before the Irish Parliament was established the Army must uphold the authority of the Crown. If ever the Army or a large section of the Army took active sides between ' the political parties the country would be faced with a more serious and graver question than known in the three centuries.

BOTH SIDES MIGHT AGREE. Lord Hugh Cecil said if Government definitely and precisely put forward a proposal in regard to exclusion of Ulster by consent it might be that both sides would agree. The principle differed only as to the machinery. The Unionists were as opposed as ever to Home Rule but anything was better than dissolution by civil war. LORD MORLEY EXPLAINS. In the House Of Lords Lord Morley said as Colonel Seely's second resignation was due to his desire not to appear as a Minister of the Crown he made a bargain and as Colonel Seely absolved him from being a party complying to General Gough's request he was not justified in resigning.

LORD LOREBURN APPEALS FOR A COMPROMISE.

Lord Loreburn appealed for a compromise. He did not believe there existed either a military plot or a Government plot to provoke Ulster. Both sides had reached conclusions and would leave a settlement to a future Parliament as to whether Ulster remain in or out but it is quite impossible, to fetter any future Parliament. Difference threatened civil war and the danger of a foreign war.

LORD LANDSDOWNE'S VIEWS OP THE ULSTER VOLUNTEERS-

Lord Landsdowne said there was not a Unionist who approached the officers with hypothetical questions. Lord Crewe at a Cabinet meeting on March 1G in his proposal that the military authorities should reinforce the' small garrisons raised the question whether the movement might be regarded as provocative. Military opinion thought it might and those responsible for the maintenance of order thought otherwise. The latter were correct because Ulster volunteers were not regarded as provocative. Government rightly or wrongly abstained from interference with the Ulster volunteer movement, believing it would destroy the hope of agreement but no Government could neglect precautions or look tamely on when an unauthorised force might seize part of the kingdom and create an administration of its own. Mr Asquith has summoned Sir Arthur Paget to London to obtain a full account of what occurred. He concluded by expressing his belief in the possibility of a permanent settlement of the Irish question without anything that could be called surrender by Government.

MORE HELP FROM WESTRALIA. PERTH, April 1. A cable has been despatched to Sir Edward Carson by a number of Ulster sympathisers who propose forming an Ulster Asscciation for Western Australia "Unionists guarantee £IO,OOO more if required to support you in resisting Home Rule and also prepared to send a contingent of volunteers. Sympathy with Ulster is increasing."

INDIAN RESIGNATIONS DENIED. LONDON, April 1. The Communique denies the London rumours of Lord Hardinge's message regarding the Army resignations. ARE THEY FOR IRELAND? Received 11.30 p.m. COPENHAGEN, April 1. There is much speculation regarding the sudden departure of the Norwegian steamer Fanny from Longeland with 300 tons of rifles transferred from a German lighter. Their supposed destination is Ireland. SUFFRAGETTES PREPARING. Bands Ot militant and non-militant suffragettes invaded Mr Asquith's constituency preparatory to the election. TORIES' UNPATRIOTISM. IN USING ARMY FOR DEFEAT OF PARLIAMENTARY GOVERNMENT. (Times. —Sydney Sun Service.) Received 6.0 p.m. LONDON, April 1. The National Liberal Club, Lord Lincolnshire presiding, carried a resolution saying that it viewed with indignation the unpatriotic attempts ' of the Tory Party to corrupt the Army and use it as an instrument for the defeat of parliamentary government. Mr Asquith's name was . loudly cheered and at the end of the meeting enthusiastic cheers were given for J the King.