HOME RULE QUESTION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13857, 21 March 1907, Page 7

HOME RULE QUESTION.

MR BALFOUR'S VIEWS, A LEGISLATIVE CONSPIRACY, | Press Asuocialion—By Telegraph-Copyrighti I LONDON, March 20, (Received March 20, at 9.37 p.m.) . I .old Ahercorn introduced to Mr Balfour ,50 tlelogatos representing tho Unionist ! organisations of Ireland, who urged the need of combating the proposals ill the direction o£ Home Rule. Mr Balfour justified (lie Local Government Act as tho outcome oE sound and far-sighted Unionist policy, yot- tho information received from all the people ho had consulted showed that the dominant party in Ireland used it as a great, electoral machine to promote Nationalist interests, white the interests of the community as a whole were fatally sacrificed. Tho infcrcnco was clear ...at those proving unworthy of tho trust conferred upon t hem in small matters could not be given charge of larger matters. (Received March 20, at 11.26 p.m.) Mr Balfour wejit on to say that the Government's policy was a deliberate and intentional fraud upon tho electorates. The Government aimod at a certain object, but, believing tho leap required was beyond the will or strength of the people, it meant to take two steps instead of one, but meant, lo get. there. Its attitudo towards the House of Ixmls disclosed a criminal legislative conspiracy. It attacked tllO House oi Lords professedly becauso the latter amended the Education Bill, which nobody wanted, Tho real reason of the attack was becauso it was the one barrier preventing the Constitution from being- thrown into the crucible. After the general election ho did not believe the electorates had changed an atom, but were as determined-as ever to resist the ultimate goal so tortuously somrht by the Government. The Unionists relied on tho common sense and patriotism of the nation i-o avert- the peril. Tliev knew Home Rule meant ruin to the great commercial interests of Ulster and unmerited injury to the loyal minority throughout Ireland. It meant the greatest blow to tho prosperity and greatness of the Empire.