A GREAT IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11030, 19 March 1914, Page 5

A GREAT IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

Reports in the "Wellington newspapers show that Sir Joseph Hard aroused a great deal of enthusiasm by his speech at the Irish concert in the Wellington Town Hall on Tuesday evening. Ho dealt with Ireland's troubles, and, treating tho question in a statesmanlike way, said that the establishment of a great Imperial Parliament was the solution of the problem, and the real means of leading the Empire forward on its career of greatness. " I decline to believe that a resort to treason and lawlessness," he said, "is the only course left to thos-o opposing practicable and sensible Home Rule. It is too horrible for words to imagine that two sections of Irishmen arc to bo let loose on theland they both love, and to have innocent lives sacrificed before tho final will of the majority is put into execution. The whole Empire is vitally concerned' in seeing England and Ireland at peace and in brotherly harmony—ayo, tho civilised world looks on with profound concern at the impasse that has arisen. I believe that the unity and the future united forces of the Empire for self-protection against other Powers is largely dependent upon a good feeling being established by meeting tho aspiration of the vast majority of the Irish race at Home and abroad. Indeed', I hold the opinion strongly that the future greatness of the Motherland will require separate Parliaments in the four racial divisions of the British Isles, with a great Imperial Parliament, representative of all parts of the overseas possessions, _ Britain necessarily retaining a majority of representatives. Then avc may look forward with confidence to an impregnable Empire Navy, easily borne and provided for by all parts of it. and fully capable of protecting each and every part of it. Under such a system there would arise peace, happiness and contentedness, not only in Ireland, but in every portion of the Empire."