POSITION OF ULSTER

New Zealand Times, Volume XLI, Issue 9417, 2 August 1916, Page 6

POSITION OF ULSTER

By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright

. Eeuter's Telegrams, '-• -(Received August 1, 5.5 p-m.) LONDON, July 31. 1 In the House of Commons. Mr Asquith. replying to Mr Dillon, declared that Ulster could not be brought under Home Rule without her consent Homo Rule could not be removed ironthe Statute Book. The recent negotia Hons/ although they had broken down, revealed the approximation of the attitude of the parties, and created a new situation. The House was dealing : with a period of transition, and in <■ short time (shorter than some people imagined) they would bo able to ar- ' rive at a permanent arrangement. It -was necessary, however to_ have a civil executive. He was of opinion that the scheme of a Provisional Council advisinz the Chief Seen Ur. was impracticable. It was important to have an' ‘effective head of the civil administration. Mr Duke had administrative capacity, sympathy with the. Irish people and a desire for ft settlement. Mr Asquith said he did not think it right, under existing conditions to reduce the military forces in Ireland. He paid a tribute to General Sir John Maxwell, who. he said, always leanid 1 towards mercy. Tho Lord Lieutenancy would be maintained, but there was no urgency to nominate an occupant of the position at present. Sir Mackenzie Chalmers remaining as Under-Secretary. - Mr Asquith stated that the cases ql 1841 Irish prisoners had been invcsfci- ■ gated- One thousand two hundred »kd seventy-two had been released and fire hundred and sixty-nine interned. It must not bo supposed that there was not a prima facio caso against tho released nrisoners. He hoped to arrange for a substantial Treasury loan to rebuild the places destroyed m Dublin. ' Although there was a remarkable absence of “ordinary agrarian crime in Ireland, there .had been a recrudescence of Sinn Feinisra in some districts in -the most aggressive form. _ There were also deplorable manifestations of sympathy with tho enemy. He hollered that the vast majority of the people were loyal to the core, but there were anarchical forces requiring vigilance. Mr Redmond said that any revival of Dublin Castle would be serious, hut the establishment of a Unionist Ixeentive would outrage Irish feelingsHe protested against any such proposal. It would be the duty of his party to watch and criticise, and. u_ necessary. to oppose, the new administration as they pleased. There would never now bo a civil war in Ireland, and when the time was fine, all differences would he peacefully settled. The goal of a united Ireland, whereto Sir Edward Carson, like himself, had turned, would be reached, please God, through methods of pence and amity. MR DILLON’S MOTION CARRIED (Received Angnst 1, 7 p.m.) LONDON Julv 31. In the House of Commons, Mr Dillon’s motion was carriedTHE SKEFFINGTON CASE Renter’s Telegrams, LONDON. July 31. In tho House of Commons Mr As. quith announced that Sir J. A. Simon, M.P., will hold an inquiry into tho death of Mr Sheeby Skeffington.