HOME RULE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8653, 11 February 1914, Page 7

HOME RULE

BONAR LAW’S INTENTIONS ATTACK AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrlgln LONDON, February 9. Some of the Unionist newspapers hint that Mr Bonar Law (leader of the Unionists) intends to confine the Unionist attack against the Government to Horn© Rule. t Other papers suggest that the Unionist Peers will endeavour to bring about' the Government’s downfall by throwing out tho Army Annual Bill and other necessary legislation.

ULSTER WILL FIGHT. 1

IF THE BILL IS PASSED

(Times —Sydney “Sun" Special Cables.) (Received February 10, 5.15 p.m.)

LONDON, February 9. The Right Lion. Sir Horace Onrzon Plunkett, after a judicial analysis of tho Irish question, has arrived at the conclusion that the men of Ulster are determined to fight and to die if necessary if Home Rule is passed. There will, he states, be civil war or else uncontrolled sectarian outrages. The hunters and gunsmiths of Belfast have instituted proceedings against the Customs , authorities to test the validity of the prohibition of the importation of arms. By proclamation the War Office has secured a considerable area of land outside the city boundary. The purpose has not been disclosed, but it is believed that it is to be employed for the bivouacking of troops if necessary.

' THE ULSTER CRfISIS. INTENTIONS OF OPPOSITION,

(Received February 10, 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, February 10. With a view to emphasising the gravity of the Ulster crisis, the Opposition intend to abandon the customary general discussion. Instead, Mr W. H. Lung will move an amendment challenging the Government’s refusal to submit the grave constitutional changes to a general election. Mr Bonar Law will close the debate.

Tory circles are discussing the possibility of tho Lords amending the Army Annual Bill, and so preventing the use of the army for Ulster’s coercion. The “Daily Chronicle” points out that the Government will certainly disagree with the Lords’ resistance, which is tantamount to disbanding the Crown’s forces. The “Chronicle” continues; “Mr Asquith will be conciliatory towards Ulster, but Messrs Redmond, Dillon, and O’Connor hold that the concessions ought to bo announced late in the session, and tho Opposition should pay the price by undertaking to facilitate an Irish settlement.”