THE FATE OF ULSTER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15551, 7 March 1914, Page 7

THE FATE OF ULSTER.

CRITICAL STAGE REACHED.

BILL AGAIN INTRODUCED.

MR. ASQUITH'S PROPOSALS

NATIONALIST LAST WORD.

OPINION ON CONCESSIONS

WARNING BY FINANCIERS

UNUSUAL STEP TAKEN

By Telegraph Press Aosociation— Copyright.

'Received March 6, 9.50 r m.)

London, March 6. The Home Rule Bill was introduced yesterday by Mr. A. Birrell (Chief Secretary for Ireland) into the House of Commons amid loud Ministerial and Nationalist cheers.

Mr. Asquith (Prime Minister) informed Mr. Bonar Law (Leader of the Opposition) that the Government's proposed amendments to the. Bill would be ready for circulation on Tuesday.

Much significance is attached to a hurried visit by Mr. J. Devlin (Nationalist M.P. for West Belfast) to the Bishops of Raphoe and Londonderry. Mr. Devlin is strongly opposed to anv modification of the Bill.

Mr. T. P. O'Connor (Nationalist M.P. for the Scotland division of Liverpool), writing in Reynold's Newspaper, says it would not be candid to say that the Nationalists have not found it hard to agree to the concessions the. Government is about- to offer, and that they were able to accept the terms only after anxious and prolonged reflection in the hope that these would bring peace. "This is the last word of the Nationalists."

The Daily Telegraph says that the Governor of the Bank of England has conveyed the directors' views to Mr. Lloyd George that any civil turmoil in Ireland would seriously affect British finances. It is unusual for the bank to take this course, unless its opinion is sought. CONCERN OF THE VICEROY. SPIES WATCH VOLUNTEERS. Times and Sydney Sun Services. (Received March 6, 5.40 p.m.) London, March 6. An extensive system of espionage was maintained at the field manoeuvres of the Ulster volunteer force. A big staff of special men of the Criminal Investigation Department and the Irish Constabulary was spread throughout Ulster, showing that the movement is causing concern to the Viceroy (Lord Aberdeen).

The eagerness to sign the declaration against coercion in Ulster has overtaken the capacity of the existing organisation to cope with it. Lord Southampton has offered to obtain 10,000 signatures.

MEASURE TWICE REJECTED. The last stage of the Home Rule Bill (1912) has been reached. It has now been twice passed by the House of Commons and twice rejected by the House of Lords. If Oho measure is again passed by the House of Commons this session, and rejected by the Upper Chamber, it will become law on the Royal assent being declared. As two years must elapse between the date of the second reading in the House of Commons in the first of the three sessions and the date on which it passes that House in the third session, the Bill must not leave the Commons for the third time until May 9, 1914. It would then have to be sent to the House of Lords at least one month before the end of the session. As a matter of conjecture. it can be assumed that the Bill may be passed before the end of June next.