HOME RULE FOR IRELAND.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13664, 1 April 1908, Page 15

HOME RULE FOR IRELAND.

DEBATE IN THE COMMONS,

VIOLENT LANGUAGE.

A MAJORITY FAVOURS JTO'ME

HULE.

By Electric Telegraph. — Copyright. LONDON, March 31.

In the House of Commons, Mr John Redmond, leader of the Nationalist. Party, moved a resolution that the system of 'government, in Ireland was insufficient, ; extravagant, costly, and productive of universal discontent and unrest, and that the only .solution would be to give an Irish legislative executive control, of all/ purely Irish affairs.. He claimed that the resolution was necessary to free Liberals" 'at the next -general election front the unfortunate pledges which debarred the party of convinced Home Rulers giving effect, to their convictions that Ireland w«s not content with a half-way house scheme. He eloquently pleiraed the right of the Irish to develop the resources of their country, and the power to heal the wounds inflicted through class hatred and religious dissension. , Earl Percy moved an amendment declaring that if the Imperial Parliament abandoned its undivided responsibility it would injure the prosperity of Ireland and imperil the security of Britain, and that therefore the Hoiise was unalterably opposed to the crea,tion of an Irish Parliament with a responsible executive. He declared that Home Rule was a, losing cause, not merely because its advocates were becoming faint-hearted* but because the new ideal of closer Union of all parts of the Empire was firing the enthusiasm of the British people. There was no doubt which would win, now that success in war and commerce depended on concentration and union 1 . Mr A. Birrell, Chief Secretary for Ireland, said Ireland could not wait indefinitely for urgent reforms. Unless there was to be something like bell in Ireland — not murder and crime, but profound discontent, misery, and dislocation of society — something must be done. He believed the affairs of .Ireland required a Parliament giving its exclusive attention to its affairs. . Mr Samuel Butcher, on behalf of the Protestant minority, declared that Home Rule would be not simply a political experiment, but^a desperate gamble with Imperial interests. Mr G. Clark, member for Belfast, caused a scene, .applying the epithets "ignorant" and u lazy peasantry" to the people of the west of IrelandMr John O'Connor (North Kildare) challenged Clarke to repeat the words outside. He called him a "coward" and a "cad." * The Deputy Speaker named Mr O'Connor when tJie latter refused to withdraw his remarks.

Mr O*€k>nnoir, amidst the cheers of the Irish Party, left the House. Mr A-. J. Balfour, ex,-Premier, disputed the analogy between Ireland and the self-governing ■ colonies. He reminded the House, that v the political process between, countries in modern times was one ofr integration, not disintegration. , . • . .; ' . • 1 MnM±. H. A*?uith T GksaaoelloF oi ihe Exchequer, affirmed that he strongly favoured self-government in regard to purely local affairs. He was unable, to vote on - the motion because it contained no explicit recognition of 'the continued paramount supremacy of. the Imperial Parliament,; besides which, the party could Jiot proceed with Home Rule during the lifetime of the present Parliament. He , intended to vote against the amendment because of its barren negation. . , * Mr Tim Heary (Louth) violently*attacked Mr Aiquith. .. The amendment was rejected by 334 to 142, and, the resolution- carried by 315 to 157, after Mr Simmons' addition that, a Home Rule Parliament must be subject to the supreme authority .of the Imperial Parliament.