HOME RULE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143769, 18 April 1912, Page 3

HOME RULE.

DEBATE IN PARLIAMENT. FIRST READING PASSED. By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright, LONDON, April 17. Continuing tho debate on the first reading of the Homo Rule Bill, Mr. W. H. Long defied English supporters to eay that Home Rule would confer better government on Ireland. Tho Bill would strike seriously at Ireland’s future prosperity. The Government had done nothing to placate Ulster, but, on the contrary, had done everything to increase bitterness and suspicion. Mr. T. P. O’Connor defended Catholics against the accusation of intolerance, which, he said, was an empty, mean, lying calumny. He declared that the Senate would be a powerful Protestant safeguard, and suggested that half the Senators should be nominated by Protestant bodies, with power to veto every appointment where the salary was over £SOO. Mr. Bonar Law said that it was impossible to regard the Bill as final, because it conferred a constitution to which none of the self-governing colonies would submit for a week. The power of veto was not exercised in, the colonies. One democratic government could not control another. The guarantees were worthless. He would give Ireland, if possible, the same powers as Canada, because then there'would be a chance of a friendly Ireland. Under the Bill, whenever tilings went wrong all the blame would be placed on the Imperial restrictions. The agitation that would thus remain in the frisk parliament would make it more dangerous than now. Ulster’s opposition made Home Rule impossible. Ho reiterated that the Government was acting against its convictions, because it was dependent on Irish voters. The Prime Minister’s debt of honour regarding the rclorm ol the House of Lords must wait till tho debts of shame had been paid to Mr. Redmond. The Bill could not be carried without submission to the people.

Mr. Birrell, Secretary for Ireland, said that Mr. Bonar Law’s speech was violent and impudent. The Liberals were content with ’the prime Minister, and did not envy the Opposition their new leader.

The Bill was read a first time by 360 to 226. The majority comprised 245 Liberals, 70 Labourites, and 8 O’Brienites. Sir C. J. Cory voted against the Bill. Mr. Agar-Robartes did not vote. Mr. Redmond has received a congratulatory message from Mr. Gleeson, of New Zealand, who states that New Zealand will, if necessary, subscribe a further £IO,OOO. A special synod of the Irish Church protested against Home Rule arresting the beneficent Imperial legislation which was producing the prosperity of Ireland, and appealed to co-religionists to assist in the defeat of the Home Rule Bill. DETAILS OF THE BILL. (Received April 18, 11.40 a.m.) LONDON, April 17. The Times says that the system of embargo in finance has been applied to Ireland, which, meanwhile, will not contribute a penny for; Imperial purposes until an unspecified date, though receiving an annual grant of two millions, which can only be defensible while Ireland is part of the United Kingdom. The text of the Bill issued states that the term of office of will be eight ’ years, and for members of the House of Commons five years. Purliament«will be summoned in September, 1913, whereupon the Irishmen at Westminster will resign.