IRISH AFFAIRS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12065, 21 July 1917, Page 9

IRISH AFFAIRS.

THE HOME RULE CONVENTION. STATEMENT IH: LORD CURZON. Australian and N.2. Cable Association. (Received July 21, 10 a.m.) LONDON, July 20 In the House of Lords, Lord Dunraven asked whether, in view of tho political situation in Ireland, the Go> ernment would undertake not to legislate in accordance with tho Convention's proposals until the proposals baa been submitted to the Irish people. Lord Dunraven went on to say that the Government's attitude towards thu Convention was not quite clear. Bo understood tho Government proposed to legislate in the event of the Convention reaching a substantial agreement. Thai must mean :i substantia] agreement outside tho Convention, because the Convention did not consist of delegates tn the ordinary acceptance of tho term. Lord Curzon replying said he could not say what tho Government's attitude would bo regarding a referendum. Tho Government did not intend to take ad vantage of the Convention to force an.y scheme on Ireland in order to got tho Government out of difficulties at the cost of Irish discontent. The Government would sanction a scheme only if it might reasonably receive Ireland's support. NATIONALIST PREMISES SEIZED. HELD BY RELAYS OF OPPONENTS. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received July 21, 1.40 j>.m.) LONDON, July 20. A section of the opponents of thn Nationalists seized the offices in Dublin used as the National volunteers' headquarters. Relays continuously hold the premises and defy tho Nationalists to expel or prevent them holding tho National Volunteer Convention.