PREPARED TO FIGHT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15558, 16 March 1914, Page 7

PREPARED TO FIGHT.

SIR E. CARSON'S LETTER.

NATIONALISTS REBUKED.

GOVERNMENT'S ESCAIT.

ABSENT WITHOUT LEAVE

By Telegraph—Tress Association-Copyright

(Received March 15, 6.10 p.m.)

London, March 14. Is a .letter to the press, Sir Edward Carson says: "We arc going to make good in action all we have been saying and preparing for during the past two years. The struggle will be grave and almost unprecedented in recent history."' Over 100 personal friends at a dinner in the Ritz Hotel last night presented Sir Edward Carson with a sword and a book of signatures attached to a copy of the Ulster Covenant.

Mr. Devlin, in an article, in Reynold's Newspaper, argues that the L'arsonitcs arc irreconcilable, and that the Bill should have been passed as it stands. The Government ought, he says, to enforce the law against the aristocrats, who are plotting rebellion. Mr. F. I). Acland (Under-Secre-tary for Foreign Affairs), in a speech at Acton yesterday, commenting on the recent debates on Home Rule, declared that he had never heard speeches more lacking in statesmanship, a sense of responsibility, or a feeling of human decency than Mr. Bonar Law's. He added that the Government did not intend to make any further modification of Home Rule, as this would only lead to further demands.

Nineteen Nationalists were absent from the House of Commons on the occasion of Thursday's critical division, when the Liberal majority sank to a small figure, and the Government was only saved from defeat by the Labour members voting against an amendment they had previously supported.

The 19 Nationalists had gone to Ireland without the, leave of their chief, and Mr. Redmond has now administered a severe rebuke to th? wanderers.