THE PRICE OF PEACE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8654, 12 February 1914, Page 5

THE PRICE OF PEACE

SIR H. C. PLUNKETT'S PLAN. HOME RULE WITHIN HOME RULE. (Received February 11. 11.20 p.m.) I.QXDOX. February 11. Mr Asquith added that lie was no# even going to pronounce a final judgment against the exclusion of Ulster, though even tho Opposition might regard it as midcsinuile, but the pnly means of escape from more.,formidable evils. Personally .lie, favoured Sir Horace Curzon Plunkett’s plan of including Ulster with the option of exclusion after a time. Mr Asquith concluded that any concessions must be regarded ns the price of peace. By this ho-did not mean tho avoidance of civil strife but it peace which would enable the Irish Government to start in an atmosphero giving a fair chance of working successfully. “I cannot believe,” lie said, “ihiit the _ country is reduced to such insolvency in statesmonship that it cannot with an lionest mind and goodwill avoid tho evils and dangers ahead.” Directly tho necessary financial bnsi. ne-ss was completed, lie said, the Government would put forward suggestions to secure a. settlement!- ■ ■

After Mr Asquith’s speech the debate languished. The Hon. Thos. Lough said that Ulster’s opposition would be largely met by the adoption of proportional representation in tha Irish,Parliament. MANDATE TO WAGE CIVIL WAR; Tbio Right Hon. Ansßcii Chamberlain revised the debate by a speech of great vivacity. The House was crowded. He .said: ‘‘The Premier claims having received a mandate. Did he ask tor a mandate to wago civil war? did he the electors authority to use British troops to shoot down then- fellow citizens:-' Jn Ulster these people feel tboy have boon robbed of their rights and privileges by a procedure begun in fraud and to be consummated by force. If the Government cannot think kindly of Ulstermen, let them think for the moment that Ulstermen arc Greeks and Armenians. The Liberals w'll then sympathise and loudly proclaim that they arc rightly struggling to he Mr Ohambrirlain concluded iby asking if the Government meant to exclude Ulster, would it secure for Ulster the same rights that Britain enjoyed. If tho Government answered ‘‘yes the danger of civil war was certain. Exclusion was the only possible basis of peace, but it would not make the Bil good or safe. Sir J. A. Simon moved the adjourn men'll of the debate/' * ■ IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS. . THE DEBATE ADJOURNED. In tho House of Lords Lord Middleton. moved that it would bo disastrous to proceed with Home Rule. Lord Morlev repeated Mr Asquith’s ‘arguments that tho Government realised tho vast importance of tho quos tion to Ulster. - -Tho debate was adjourned'. •