IRISH HOME RULE

Northern Advocate, 8 September 1913, Page 5

IRISH HOME RULE

SPEECH BY MR BALFOUR

THE FEELING OF ULSTER

CRITICISM OF MINISTERIAL

POLICY.

(By Telegraph-Press Assn.-Copyright)

LONDON, Sept. 7

Mr Balfour, in a speech at Haddington, said the endeavour to carry Home Rule while the House of Lords was in its present suspended condition was no accident but part of a plan to pass laws over the heads of the Lords against the people's will and considered judgment. When the plan was devised loyal feeling in the North East of Ireland did not realise the position. The Government had apparently been unaware that union with Britain and freedom from domination by the rest of Ireland were regarded by Ulster not as matters of speculative interest or preference hut as matters of life and death. They now knew the deep, immovable, settled conviction of Ulstermen.

The Government, said Mr Balfour, might appeal to the country before passing the Home Rule Bill, after it became law or before it became operative. The first course might not reconcile Ulster but would make it impossible to say that Ulster was the victim of a revolution upon which the people had not been consulted. It was rumoured that the Government had hitherto included the second course but he would not believe until forced that the Government was capable of such gross political immorality. If the country was in favour of Home Rule it would say so if consulted. If it was against then he could not conceive a policy so atrocious as to refuse an opportunity of pronouncement until all the passions had been aroused of North and South Ireland—until all the administrative inconveniences occurred which were inevitable if the Bill were repealed after it passed and the whole temper/ of the country roused to fever heat.

He was unable to believe that the Government would try to govern as if we were a South American or Central American Republic. Ministers must either feel they have the country behind them or resign. "They will be forced to dissolve. We are on the verge of great events. lam not sure that everyone realises the nearness of difficulties that may prove almost insuperable to British statesmanship. Unionists must rouse their countrymen to a sense of the danger, and, if their efforts are effectual, they will rouse such a storm of passionate indignation that no Government dare carry the original policy to the bitter end." If he were right the Unionists would soon be in the thick of the conflict. Their duty was to work strenuously and then they would be able to look forward full of confidence to the

result