THE GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSAL.

Colonist, Volume LVIII, Issue 14408, 19 May 1917, Page 5

THE GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSAL.

PREMIER'S LETTER TO MR

REDMOND.

SCOPE OF THE JOINT COUNCIL-

IRISH CONFERENCE SUGGESTED.

('Australian and N.Z. Cable AssuciatioM aud lieuter.)

London, May 17. Official.—Mr Lloyd George lias writ-. ten tv Mr Redmond emphasising that any settlement of the Irish questiou they could propose in war time must. be oho ■substantially accepted by both eides. He is unable to-negotiate witfci Irish representatives owing to-the decision of the Nationalists not to negotiate with the Government. The latter seek to concede the largest possible measuro of. Home Rule socurable by agreement ati this moment, Parliament to effect a final settlement after tn« war of the questions mast in dispute. He is prepared to introduce a Bilhg-ving Home Hale to Ireland, exchKiiug tno sis counties of Ulster, such decision to be subject to re-considera-tion by Parliament at tre end of five years unless terminated in the rneanland °y I>r°P°sed Council of L e - The Bill proposes that the latter Council will consist of all memW s refe" 1" °« empowered by the majority of the votes of each delegation to pass pmate Bi , ls and , islat g ™ reeling any pavt of Ireland, and recommend the Down to extend it to iHonUEule Acl »—^ - eSdt^l^erirlL^ outfit to be reconsidered Mr Lloyd George adds tfat a u , m _ p^ aSd^' -L-1 without jndnly b b ur denin g X Payer. A-conference similar to tho Speaker^ conference on electoral re^ foim would folio*- the second roadint of the proposed Bill, which i s as f ay af th.» government oan poswblv in tfl mwa of the great war. Hei s ~orenare| i^f p^^r^^ -& s 4^^ s tl t^^ 6/11^ 11 f Vrici ■^ ianl ed» despite the most formidable difficulties and obstacles, by a convention representing all interested parties m.tbe-tjountrv: Tho GorsniTlrpSST* that .t, similar expedient effectual * P°MIUe ' and Would te +T,-Mri Ii loyd Goor^ invites views on this letter to enable the Government to consider the matter before Monday