THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, JANUARY 31st, 1918. THE IRISH QUESTION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11752, 31 January 1918, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, JANUARY 31st, 1918. THE IRISH QUESTION.

Tho Irish question is one that Ims lor years loomed largo upon tho horizon of British politics. But there has been no period hi which ii has been viewed with more grave anxiety ilian it is to-day. Tho whole British "Empire is waiting anxiously ami ■patiently for the verdict of tho Convention'that ""s f° r '"Girths keen endeavouring to solve the delicate problem. The issue is surrounded with such immense difficulties that 'lts determination appears to defy even the most astute statesmanship. Had the decision of tlie question been left to the Nationalists and tho UlJHtfiritos, the difficulties would probably have been overcome. Tho spread of 'the. Siain Fein movement, however, which aims at separation rather than self-government, has _ created tremendous obstacles. Major lan Hay/ in his booklet entitled "The Oppressed English," reviews the situation in a most intelligent manner. He points out that whan \ responsible leader of tho Irish Nationalist Party states his case to an audience wliicii is friendly without being bigoted, he clothes his appeal in some such words as these:

,"Ail we ask is the right, as a little nation, to conduct our affairs in our own way, without interference from the officials of another and more powerful nation. Ireland free, and Ireland a nation, can then take her place as a loyal daughter of the Empire, side byside, witlr .Canada. Australia, and New Zealand."

Major Hay states that nothing could sound more reasonable or un- v exceptionable than that. He points out, .however, that Ireland is already a3 free as either England, Scotland, or Wales. In some respects, he says, it enjoys a. greater freedom, for besides wielding a power in the councils of the United Kingdom quite out of proportion to the country represented, the Irish people , are absolved from service under the Military Service Act. Major Hay states that a great shock to the sentimental supporters of Home Rule, as such, comes when he is confronted with the mbdest proposals translated into actual terms of an Act of Parliament. The Home Rule Act of 1911 contained the , irreducible minimum that the Irish Nationalist Party was prepared to accept. The provisions of this Act proposed that a. Parliament, be established in Dublin.'- They also proposed that Ireland be exempt from Imperial, taxation. England, Scotland, and Wales were to pay for the entire upkeep of the Army and, Navy,'but -were to continue to pay tlie Jrish Old Age 'Pensions, together with an annua] subsidy to Ireland. In other words, England, Scotland, and Wales were to find the money, and the Irish Executive were to spend it. But the clause to which the greatest exception ,was taken was that which provided for tho retention of about forty Irish members in the House of Commons. Of course, if other parts of the Empire were represented in the House of Commons, or if an Imperial Parliament were formed, thejys could" be no objection to Ireland being represented in proportion to her population. Major Hay points out the difficulties in arriving at a settlement, but he concludes his article by stating that practically any scheme of Homo Rule upon which the combatants can agree will bo accepted by the people' of England and Scotland. They arc genuinely fond of then- brave,'witty, and turbulent neighbours; %>y are genuinely appreciative of the splendid work that has been done in the war by the Irish troops; they are broadminded enough to bear no malice for the,,disturbance in Dublin; and {hey are painfully.conscious that their own efforts to confer peace and contentment upon Ireland have not l>eon an unqualified success. Finally, they are sick of strife and argument, and it is probable that any scheme which does not abandon Ireland, and incidentally expose the adjoining coast of England, to tho intrigues and designs of a corrupt and Teu'tonieally inclined Separatist Party—and J it is this fear which haß lain at the i very foot of English opposition to Irish Home Rule for generations-, will go through. And may that dav not bo far distant I