FUTURE OF IRELAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16230, 16 May 1916, Page 8

FUTURE OF IRELAND.

CONTROVERSY RAGING.

VARIOUS PRESS VIEWS.

(Received May 16. 12.30 a.m.)

London, May 14. Recriminations over the Government's policy in connection with Irish affairs tend to continue. Thus the Freeman's Journal published verbatim Mr. John Dillon's speech, in the House of Commons, with the more violent passages in heavy type. The Irish Times expresses the hope that all Irishmen will cooperate to build up a bright future upon the miserable past. The Daily Express, in a leader, headed "Let the Castle go," says it is intolerable that a Government whose duty it is to defeat Germany should be distracted by Irish disaffection.

The Daily Chronicle says: "After the manner in which the Nationalists rallied to the defence of the Empire, even a Unionist Government could not withhold Home Rule at the end of the war to at least the three Southern provinces. But Ulster's consent must be won. In the future coercion of Ulster will be impossible. If the time is not ripe and an agreement is opposed, the Irish leaders might form a war executive to prevent the continuance of the system of rule from Dublin Castle."

Despite the currency of rumours as to .a . proposed Provisional Government Mr. John Redmond and Sir Edward Carson are unaware of negotiations regarding the new executive. They have not been invited to Dublin to confer with Mr. Asquith and leading Irishmen. Nevertheless, there is evidence that the calamity of Easter week shocked Irishmen of all shades of opinion into a re-examination of their responsibilities.