IRELAND.

Timaru Herald, Volume XC, Issue 13293, 23 May 1907, Page 5

IRELAND.

THE COUNCIL BILL CONDEMNED

Press Association-Bv Telegraph-Copyright Received 10.38 p.m.. May 22nd. LONDON, May 22.

In presiding at the Irish National Convention. the attendance at which' numbered 3000, Mr John Redmond moved a resolution which was unanimously and enthusiastically adopted, in favour of rejecting Mr Birrell'* Administrative Council Bill,

,\nd urging the Nationalist members of tho House of Commons to press' for the establishment of a native Parliament with responsible executive power over all purely Irish affairs.

ilr Redmond declared that he would noc >av that this was an unworkable Bill entirely, until it had been printed; bad as ib was. it was not so utterly bad as Lord Dunraven's scheme, but the Liberals muse once and for all abandon the Rosebeiyite idea of settling the question. Ho described the Bill as utterly inadequate in and unsatisfactory in details; and also repudiated any attempts to settle the Irish problem by half measures. Mr R-sdmond justified his recent attitude on the ground that he was aware that in this Parliament they would not get a purs Home Rule Bill, hence he promised whatever scheme short of that- was advanced, would be considered calmly on its merits. He added : " You are tho masters with reference to this Bill; if you —asl ■ — feel that- it proves unworkable, its failure will be used as an argument against the Irishmen's capacity for self-government. The Liberals must revert to Mr Gladstone's standard. People sometimes talk of what is called an alliance between the Irish and Liberal parties. Our party is independent: it is in alliance with no English party, which fails to put fidl Home Rule in the front of itsprogramme. Ireland is strong enough if

she chooses to compel an early settlement." Mr Redmond then appealed for unity in order to fhow that they were resolved to achieve their rights. They liad better wait a generation than accept a measure which would lead to disaster and disgrace. Mr O'Callaglnin. Secretary to the Irish National League of America, declared thatthe decision of the convention would be the decision of the Irish in America. They, in America, would cheer and encourage them. If Irish sentiment were once again driven into open hostile activity against. England and the English Government, the task of Mr Bryce, the British Ambassador to .America, would not be facilitated as a result of'this miserable Bill. - Mr T. P. O'Connor, Mr Devlin, and others, urged a, stronger and a more united movement in the future.

The convention instructed the parliamentary party to press for immediate legislation on the lines of Mr Bryce's university scheme, for an amended Land Bill, and for compulsory reinstatement of evicted tenants!.

A DISORDERLY MEETING.

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, May 22. Rowdy scenes, occurred at an anti-Home Rule meeting in the Town Hall last evening. TII9 Rev Clias. Watt, of Auckland, was announced to deliver ar, address on "What- Home Rula would do for Ireland."' Early in the proceedings a section of the audience showed strong disapproval of a recitation calling on the sons of Ulster to rise and defend their country and religion. Later when the lecturer proceeded to attack Home Rule and the efforts of the Nationalists'-, the Home Rule section of»the audience took charge of the proceeding;! and howled him down. There were counter demonstrations, and the meeting was very nojV-y. The miiyor. who presided, attempted to restore order and partly succeed •'d, but the interruptions continued to the end of the. meeting, the lecture in conwriuenee being very disjointed- Mr Watt, stuck to his guns to tiie finish and said his interrupters were the most cowardlv he had ever met.