HOME RULE BILL.

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13775, 16 July 1913, Page 5

HOME RULE BILL.

DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS

THE SECOND READING/

UNIONIST REFERENDUM

AMENDMENT.

(Received July 15, 10.55 p.m.)

London,-July 15

In tho House of Lord®, Lord Crew©, in moving that tho Home.Rule Bill be read tho second time, dwelt upon the pleas for a conference, to which .there was no response from -the Opposition Leader. Ho added that the Govornment never pretended that the present Bill was tho on'y kind of Homo Rule Bill tho House ought to be asked to consider, but there was no basis of compromise as long as the Irish minority, supported by the Unionists, decided to do everything to prevent the establishment of any Irish legislature. The only alternative Avas to pass .the Bill under tho Parliament Act. -

Lord Lansdotvne, in moving, as an amendment, "that tho House- declines to consider the Bill until it has been submitted to the country,"-. said.' nothing had happened, though in their lordships view the bye-elections did not augur favourably for the Bill. He urged its reference to the country. If the Government won, the Bill would still remain under the. Parliament Act, while if it lost it would bo "saved,a stupendous blunder. He added. that the Unionists were ready to abido by the country's decision. Regarding Ulster's grim determination, he said that it was no mere myth. Ho suggested that the Unionists of Ulster might inscribe on their banner the words Cleopatra addressed to Antony at a critical moment in her fortunes, namely, "You do not know me yet." (Opposition cheers.)„

Tho Duke of Abercorn made his maiden speech. He said that as an Ulstorman he was proud to sign the Covenant. Ulster absolutely refused to submit to Homo Rule until she was compelled to do so by force of arms. Other Unionists warned the Government of tho gravity of the threatened crisis. Lord Chelmsford said the Bill ought not to be passed till a direct vote of the people was taken on it... He enforced his argument by referring to Australia, where- no constitutional change was possible without a previous referendum.

Lord Beaucharnp declared that Lord Lansdowne's reference to a general election was a notable contribution to the discussion if he meant that in the event of the .election resulting in favour of the Bill tho Unionists would withdraw their support from Ulster's opposition.