IRISH SETTLEMENT

Southland Times, Issue 17783, 12 July 1916, Page 5

IRISH SETTLEMENT

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MR ASQUITH’S STATEMENT. (P.y Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright! I Australian & N.ZI. Cable Association.) LONHON, July I I. Received Ju'y 11, 5.5 p.m. In the House of Commons Mr Asquith made a statement, on the Irish question. He said that Mr Lloyd George had consulted till sections in Ireland, and only one basis of settlement was possible, involving the bringing of the Home Rule Hill into operation, omitting six Ulster counties and the boroughs of Belfast, Londonderry, and Neetry. One thing which made till parties come to an agreement was the war. Look at what was going on on the Somme. Ulster and other Irish regiments were vicing in a splendid rivalry, creating a new bond between themselves and between the United Kingdom. This was the moment to remove, if they could, cause for future party strife and leave the kingdom free to concentrate its energies on the achievement of victory. It was in this spirit that Ulstermen and Nationalists negotiated, and the Government offered the proposals to the House. The main changes proposed that the Irish House of Commons consist for the time being of those returned to the imperial House of Commons. The Api>eal Court would consist of judges appointed by the Imperial Executive. He had not received specific proposals from the Unionists of the West and South, but they had received careful and sympathetic treatment. The Imperial Government would ■ retain exclusive authority in matters arising out of the*war. The bill, which was a provisional measure, would remain in force fill twelve months after the war. Those who looked forward to a unite! Ireland recognised that union would never be effected without the freewill assent of the excluded area. He believed this was a golden opportunity for an arrangement which never before was possible, and appealed to thd House to take advantage of a chance which might never recur to provide a lasting settlement. Sir E. Carson said he understood that six counties had been definitely eliminated. Of course they could be included by the bill.

Mr Asquith ; They cannot be included without it. Machinery must be provided for if the Government included the counties. The Iristi* members would continue to sit in tlie Imperial Parliament under the provisions of the Home Rule Act.