HOME RULE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIX, Issue 10896, 10 March 1914, Page 5

HOME RULE.

INTENSE INTEREST.

RUMOURS OF RESISTANCE. ULSTER TO BE EXCLUDED. United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. London, March 9. The newspapers testify to the in tense, interest with which Mr As qcnth’a statement is awaited. The demand for tickets for the House of Commons is also unprecedented. There are indications that Mr Bonar Law will intimate that time will be taken to consider the pro posal. Sir Edward Carson is ill, and at present it is possible that he will be absent. ,

The Chronicle states that some peers will move to insert in the Army Annual Bill an amendment prohibiting its pse in Ulster. The Government would reject such an amendment, whereupon in the event of the Lordg insisting, the Bill would be lost, and the army cease to exist. It is hardly credible that the Lords will go to such lengths, but the Government is taking proper steps to prevent the eventuality, and when the occasion rises will act with swiftness and decision. Unionist newspapers declare that exclusion will be unsatisfactory to Ulster if the time limit is attached. Apropos of this point the Daily Qraphio states that a rumour was current last night that extremely powerful influences have induced the Government to alter its pro poaals, and it will now offer Ulster’s exclusion with a counter option to vote ino nsion. The Daily News describes as pure ly gratuitous the assumption that the attack on the Army Bill will enable the Lords to force a dissoiu tion. The nation fought the de feated peers before, and is ready to finish them when the call comes. The rejection of to day’s offer would mean the termination of the Govern ment’s long suffering. When the agreement is dead, it will become the duty of the Government to see lhat the trade of anarchy is not allowed to be an adjunct of electioneering. THE GOVERNMENT’S OONOES- ' SION.

POLL TO BE TAKEN,

MR BONAR LAW’S CONDITIONS

Received March 10, 9 a.m. London, March 9

Mr Asquith announced in the House of Commons that the Ulster Counties would be allowed to take a poll as to whether they should be excluded for six years. Before that period expired he said the electors of the United Kingdom would have opportunity to say whether exclusion should continue. Mr Bonar Law. On behalf o£ the Opposition, demanded that the electors of the United Kingdom should be consulted, otherwise the Unionists would be unable to accept the proposals.

A GREAT OCCASION

TENSE EXPECTATION OF parties. Received March 10, 11 a.m. London, March 9. The Hcnse was crowded on the occasion of Mr Asquith announcing the decision of the Government. Members unable to find accommodation on the floor of the Chamber were seated in the galleries. Great tension prevailed throughout question time. Messrs Asquith, Bonar Law and Sir B. Carson received an ovation, Mr A-quith arose amidst great obeering. He said he was offering suggestions which did not mean running away from the original Bill. The Government, however, desired .to give the Bill a start with the greatest measure of success. There was, he, admitted, a prospect of acute dissatisfaction, and, perhaps, civil strife. Yet, if the Bill were shipwrecked, mutilated or postponed the outlook was equally formidable. Any settlement, therefore,- must involve acceptance of the principle of an Irish Parliament with special treatment to Ulster beyond the safeguards provided in the Bill. Mr Asqnith does not expect that the proposals will be accepted with enthusiasm in any quarter.

THE THREE ROADS,

Received March 10, 11 a.m, London, March 9,

Mr Asquith, continuing, said Government had considered three roads. The first was Home Rule within Home Rule, which did not commend itself to any of the parties.' The second was the inclusion of the whole of Ireland, with the option for the Ulster Counties to recede aftes? a period. This also possessed a fatal drawback. The third was the exclusion of Ulster, and the Government decided that Ulster should be allowed to say whether it desired exclusion, a poll of electors to he taken before the Bill became operative. If exclusion is adopted, the six yearly periods will date from the first meeting of Parliament. That term will afford ample time to test the new Parliament and electors in the United Kingdom will he able to say whether exclusion should continue. Meanwhile Ulster will continue its representation in the Imperial Parliament. Mr Redmond said the Premier had gone to the very limit of concession. Long before the expiry of six years they would be able to make an exhi bition of colorant Government which would disarm suspicion. Sir B. Oarson said if the Govern menfc abolished the time limit he would summon an Ulster Ooaven, tion to consider the proposal, but not otherwise. *