IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 15, 16 January 1913, Page 6

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

BALFOUR’S CUTTING SPEECH

“IF BLOOD WERE SPILLED.”

(By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.'

(United Press Association.) (Received 11.20 a.ih.) London, January 15

Mr. Balfour, In moving the rejection of the Homo Rnl 3 Bill, said: “The Government promised the Nationalist nationality, the British people peace, and the taxpayei economy. They told advocates of Homo Rule all round that this step would mean the disintegration of the United Kingdom, and they told Imperialists it was a step towards the unity of the Empire. All had been duped, and the greatest dupes were the Nationalists and the British people. The Bill gave Ireland rights too great lor Britain’s fiscal interests. The Government, on the other hand, had done its utmost to deprive the Irish Government of whatevery self-governing Dominion possessed.”

After expressing himself shocked at the utter ai#l dangerous want of comprehension of the Ulster problem, he warned the House that if calamities arose, if blood were spilled—which God forbid—then real assassins were those who never had courage to face the situation.

THE PREMIER IN REPLY

(Received 11.35 a.m.)

The Premier, replying, said Mr. Balfour had conveniently ignored the fact that the Irish movement had passed from sentiment and effort to an organised, practical, and inevitable reality. If the Bill were rejected, an insistent demand would remain undiminished, as the permanent expression of vast majorities will. Apparently, only th s people who were not dupes were Mr. Balfour and his friends, who were just now going through their own experience of the Science of Political Union. (Laughter.) Given perversity on one side, padantry on the other, and the Constitution could be wrecked in a week. Apart from the ample safeguards contained in the Bill, two would operate most strongly—namely, interest and common sense.

Mr. Balfour’s prediction of disaster was a repetition similar to that preceding the granting o f self-govern-ment to the Transvaal. He (the Premier) was convinced the Bill would excise the baneful influences hitherto keeping Britain and Ireland apart, and would establish a permanent unity. MR. BALFOUR’S RECEPTION. Mr. Balfour, on entering the House, was cheered by the Unionists, and then by the Liberals. The latter demon strati cn was intended as a tribute to his re-adoption of the Balforian tariff" reform.

TWO SHIPWRECKS.

A BARQUE ON THE ROCKS

(Received 11.20 a.m.) London January 15

The Russian barque California was dashed on the rocks oa the Northumberland coast, and ten of the crew were drowned.

CLAN MACKENZIE FOUNDERS

Madrid, January 15

The Clan MacKenzie from J.ondon to Colombo, was stranded off Cadiz, and foundered. The vessel and cargo were valued at a quarter of a million sterling.