SENSATIONAL DEBATE IN HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 20037, 21 March 1914, Page 5

SENSATIONAL DEBATE IN HOUSE OF COMMONS.

. A REFERENDUM PROBABLE

SIR E. CARSON CALLED TO

ORDER

CENSURE MOTION DEFEATED

tlitt'to*! i'ress Association. —Uopyngtu.j LONDON, Mar. 19.

The House of Commons was crowded, when Mr Bonar Law moved his vote of censure on the Government.

Mr Balfour, who was hurriedly summoned, from Cairns, entered during the debate, and was cheered. Mr Bonar Law, dn moving the vote of censure, said that in view of Mr. Churchill's (speech amd Mr Asquith'e approval, the situation was more dangerous than ever. It was not true that the Opposition had demanded details in order to obtain a larger target for fire. If the Premier chose to introduce into the BiU suggestions in the direction of submitting a referendum to the country, Lord Lansdowne would be willing to use his influence in the Lords to induce them to offer no objection to carrying-: out,the people's decision. If it were only a question of disorder the army would, and ought, to obey; but if it came to civil war soldiers were citizens like the rest of the people. Mr Asquith dissented from the proposition regarding the army's duty, but agreed that bloodshed was never justifiable if another course were possible. He asked if the referendum favoured the Government, would it carry authority to the Government to coerce Ulster? Mr Bonar Law nodded assent, amidst loud Ministerial cheers. Mr Bonar Law added that he was willing to accept the referendum without plural voting. - Mr Asquith concluded without making a definite promise regarding the referendum.,

Sir Edward Carson asked, if the Government was in earnest, why did it not exclude Protestant Ulster until Parliament otherwise t ,ordered The Government's proposals in their (present form were not worth the consideration of Ulster. If the Premier gave a firm offer of the referendum he was prepared to accept its decision. Mr Devlin followed, and accused Sir Edward Carson of commencing life as a Nationalist, and afterwards deserting to the enemy. Sir Edward Carson interjected that it was an infamous lie.

The Speaker intervened, amd Sir E. Carson substituted the words "wilful falsehood." Mr Devlin continued, contending that the proceedings in Ulster were a masquerade and a sham.