DROP HOME RULE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11000, 12 February 1914, Page 5

DROP HOME RULE.

CARSON'S CHALLENGE.

PREMIER HOPES FOR PEACE.

" STRUGGLING TO BE FREE." By Telegraph—Press AEflocUtion—Copyright. LONDON, February 11. Mr Long's speech at the opening of Parliament was marked by (sincerity and earnestness. Ho denied that the Unionists were sowing disloyalty in the army though it was true that there was great anxiety. Many soldiers had sent in their commissions rather than fight against Ulster. He asked if the defensive- forces were eo strong that the Government was prepared to run this great risk. The Government should produce its proposals without delay. There was no jiistificatidn for prolonging the terrible agony of the Irish people.

MR ASQUITH'S DECLARATION

DOES NOT DESPAIR OF SETTLEMENT.

Mr Asquith had a great reception. He declared that recent by-elections had indicated that there had been no change of feeling with regard to Home Rule. A dissolution would be useloss. It would reduce the Parliament Act to a nullity and might result in a condition of stalemate. If the Opposition were victorious they would be faced with the problem of governing Ireland, of which three-fourths would be bitterly disappointed. He asked if the Liberals gained a majority would Ulster lay down its arms? There was no reason why Ulster should change its opinions because a number of British electors imperfectly informed on Irish affairs and more interested in land and tariff reform or the Insurance Bill chose to say so. He asked the Opposition if it would give a guarantee that a measure approved by the electorate should pass into law. Sir Edward Carson interjected: Will you drop Home Rule? Mr Asquith replied: There is. no parity between the two positions. You control the House of Lords. If the matter can be settled by something in the nature of general agreement it would be- much better settled here and now. He regretted that the conversations with Mr Bonar Law had failed to attain an agreement, but ho did not despair' of the possibility of a settlement. He was not even going to pronounce final judgment against the exclusion of Ulster,'though even the Opposition would regard it as desirable only as a means of escape from more formidable 'evils. Personally he favoured Sir Horace Plunkett's plan of including Ulster with the option of exclusion after a time.

Mr Asquitli concluded that any concessions must bo regarded as the prios of peace. By this ho did not mean the avoidance, of civil strife by a peace which would not enable the Irish. Government to start in an atmosphere giving a fair chance of working successfully. He could not believe that the country had been reduced to such insolvency of statesmanship that it c6uld not with an honest mind and goodwill avoid tho evils and dangers ahead. Directly the necessary financial business had been completed the Government would put forward suggestions. He did not'despair of the possibility of a settlement. He thought the passage in tho King'? Speech was echoed in all parts of the House. After Mr Asquith's speech the debate languished. Mr Lough said that Ulster's opposition would largely be met by the adoption of proportional representation in the Irish Parliament.

ROBBED OF RIGHTS.

MR AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN'S

SPEECH

Mr Austen Chamberlain revived the debate with a speech of great vivacity. The House was crowded. He said that the Premier claimed to have received a mandate. Did ho ask for a mandate to wage civil war? Did he receive the electors' authority to use British troops to shoot down their fel-low-citizens in Ulster? These felt that they had been robbed of their rights and privileges by procedure begun in fraud and to be consummated by force. If the Government could not think kindly of Ulster men let them think for a moment that Ulstermen were Greeks or Armenians. The Liberals then would sympathise and loudly proclaim that they wore rightly struggling to be free. Mr Chamberlain concluded by asking if the Government meant to exclude Ulster would it secure Ulster the same rights that Britain enjoyedP If the Government answered "Yes" the danger of civil war would be averted. If not civil war would be certain. Exclusion was the only possible basis of peace, but it would not make the Bill good or safe. Sir J. A. Simon moved the adjournment of the debate.

".INTOLERABLE." A UNIONIST VIEW. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received February 12. 10.10 a.m.) LONDON, February 11. Sir J. A. Simon, Solicitor-General, contrasted Mr Asquith's and Mr Chamberlain's speeches. He said that tho latter was not conciliatory. Sir Edward Carson replied, arguing that tho situation was intolerable, inasmuch as the Unionists, pending Mr Asquith's suggestions, were asked to vote tho Estimates, including the pay to tho Army, which the Liberals threaten to send to Ulster. If tho Government proposed Ulster's exclusion he would consult Ulstermen. He added that Mr Redmond did not want. Ulster's affections, only her taxes.

Mr Redmond repudiated the charge as one of unworthy motives. The Nationalists shared to the full the dosiro for a peaceful solution, although they did not share the tragic view of the possibilities of civil war. The exclusion of Ulster could never he the solution.

Lord Loreburn, in the House of Lords debate on the address, said that the time would come when the stage of reticence regarding Home Rule ought to be abandoned, and everybody should submit their views. "MARKING TIME. 1 ' THE PREMIER'S SPEECH. (Received February 12. 9 a.m.) LONDON, February H. A great prayer meeting was held