HOME RULE

Otago Witness, Issue 3114, 19 November 1913, Page 30

HOME RULE

ENROLMENT 0F VOLUNTEERS

THE RELIGIOUS CONTROVERSY

EXCLUSION OF ULSTER

LONDON, November 11

The committee of the British League in support of the Ulster movement announces that 150 agents are enrolling volunteers very largely 7 in England, Scotland, and Wales to reinforce the ranks of the Ulstermen.

November 12

It is expected that tlie Homo Rule Bill will be re-introduced soon after Parliament meets in the middle of February, and passed in accordance with n rigorous timetable. An interval will be allowed after the third reading to give the influences working for a compromise the fullest opportunity.

November 13

The Duke of Norfolk, when presiding at a meeting of the Primrose League at Norwich, denounced the press* for its betrayal in attempting to band over Ireland’s destinies to those openly abhorring their British connection. As a Catholic he regretted the introduction of the religious controversy. The Unionist leaders had not appealed to religious passions. Bigotry in Ulster largety arose through fear and ignorance. He admitted that the Loyalists of the province were entitled to their fear of what might happen. Sir John Simon, speaking at Manchester, said that he hoped, that Mr Asquith’s invitation with regard to a confei’ence between parties which Mr Bonar Law . had so patriotically received, might lead to some solution, and remove the Irish question from the realms of controversy. November 14. Mr A, Bonar Law said that if the Government coerced Ulster without the sanction of a genera! election of the Unionists would support the Ulstermen and A-ould use every means to prevent the British troops from shooting down loyal Irishmen. It was the Government’s plain duty to submit the question to a general election or to a referendum. Lord Selbournc, speaking at Bristol, declared that the sole proposal of the Unionist party, if approached with a view to settling the Home Rule question, would be a general election. There have been heavy exports of rifles from Birmingham to Ireland. They were carried in motor cars to various English ports for shipment. The police, though aware of this, made no attempt to interfere. November 15. Mr Redmond, addressing a meeting atNewcastle, said the Nationalists would welcome a settlement by consent. They would consider any demand consistent with the principle of national self-govern-ment. Lord Salisbury, speaking at Plymouth, said the Unionists would be glad to consider any properly devised measure to further the extension of local government, but they would not give Ireland a constitution by which she might become independent. A conference of the Nationalist-Unionist Association passed a resolution reaffirming its detestation of Home Rule, and declaring deep alarm with regard to the danger of civil war. It also affirmed a strong determination to support Ulster, November 17. The Government is submitting to Mr Bonar Law a proposal to exclude Ulster from Home Rule for a definite term of years, and to impose an additional burden on the taxpayers of Britain for the purpose of compensating Nationalist Ireland for the temporary loss of Ulster’s wealth.

Mr John Burns, speaking at Melton Mowbray, said that the Home Rule Bill gave the majority adequate protection, and settled permanently what Ireland needed, must get, and deserved. There was scope for and hope of an amicable settlement of an ancient wrong and a longneeded act of justice to united Ireland, Mr O’Brien and Mr Ilealy, speaking at Mitchelltown, said they were convinced that Mr Redmond and Mr Asquith were considering the temporary exclusion of Ulster as the price of seeming Home Rule without an appeal to the country. Messrs O’Brien and Ilealy urged a conference of the best men of all parties, and they predicted that the result would make Home Rule tolerable to Protestants. Mr Healy added that he was willing to make any settlement short of creating an AlsaceLorraine within the Empire.