BRITISH POLITICS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 6 March 1914, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS

HOME RULE

'TWO CENTRES OF SOVEREIGNTY"

LORD HUGH CECIL'S VIEWS. THE CONFERENCE PROPOSALS. (Press Association.—Coptbight) LONDON, March 5.

Lord Dunraven, in a letter to the Press, says a fair chance of settlement is only obtainable by referring Mr r Asquith's proposals to a conference on the lines of Lord Loreburn'e proposal. Coercion is impossible, and the exclusion of Ulster is unthinkable, while a general election would be usless as a solution.

Lord Hugh Cecil, in a letter, says the difficulty in the way of conference is iiifiuperable. He draws an analogy between General Botha's, action in South Africa, and possible happenings in Ireland as creating two centres of sovereignty. Nobody will deny that the deportations were altogether indefensible, and nobody can be blind to. the outrage and scandal of the infliction of perpsuuil exile by a retrospective enactment. The true sovereignty lies with the South African Parliament and General Botha, and not with the British Crown. Such are the consequences of Home U.ule. There is little doubt that Mr A=qui*h's Home Rule proposals have Mr Red-mond's-concurrence, though there are some Ministerialist of the attitude of the National Convention; if it is called upon to sanction the changes.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

(Received March 6, 8.55 a.m.) LONDON, March 5.

Mr Birrell introduced the Home. Rule Bill amid Ministerial 'and ; Nationalist cheers.

Mr Asquith informed Mr Bonar Law.., that the Governrrent's, proposed amendments to the Bill would be ready "for circulation bv Tuesday. The Bight Hen. Joseph Pease intro '. duced the Plural Voting Bill. aid. Mi'.; McKenna the Welsh Church;Bill. • ~,, A private Bill was introduced to per- v " mit women to practice as solicitors.

REDISTRIBUTION PROBLEM.

LONDON, March 5. > The House of Commons acreed 1 to Mr Edgar Jones's motion to'appoint a 'Select Committee to consider redistribution. Mr Long appealed to the' Government to institute an independent inquiry in order, to prevent the present of jerrymandered constituencies.Mr .Herbert Samuel said the' Government was' willing to appoint a Minister to the committee if the Opposition would join in an effort to formulate a. fair scheme. He. hoped to settle the redistribution question before the General Election in 1915, if Parliament ran its normal course. ■; ' * Mr Asquith received the organisers of the Welsh Nonconformists'; petiuon against the Welsh Disestablishment Bill. He said the deputation failed to supply a, reason for their attitude or "explain the objections to,disendowment. . > MONEY-LENDERS'\BILL. LONDON, March 4. In the House of Lords, Lord Newton's Money-lenders' Bill was read the third time. • ARMY ESTIMATES.

| LONDON, March 5. The Army, Estimates are £28;000,000, including for aviation. . t , The Civil Service Estimates" are £21,036,650. < s