FEDERATION OR DEVOLUTION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 11936, 25 March 1914, Page 5

FEDERATION OR DEVOLUTION.

COMMENTS OF PARTY NEWSPAPERS,

GENERAL PAGET A "SCAPEGOAT."

Press Association—Electric Telepraph— Copyright (Received Wednesday, at 8.45 a.m.) LONDON, Tuesday. The idea of a settlement on a federal or devolution basis finds increasing support in several newspapers. Eight Liberals writing to the Westminster Gazette say the Government's Ulster offer, though statesmanlike and the best under the circumstances, suffers from an admitted defect in its want of finality. The writers warmly advocate the Westminister Gazette's suggestion as the best means of securing a definite settlement. The whole constitutional question could be dealt with during Ulster's six year period of exemption. The Unionists papers declare that General Paget is a, scapegoat, and hint at the possibility of his resignation. They acclaim General Gough as the men of the hour, and state that the band of , oflicers saved the country from disaster. The Liberal papers declare that the Tory attempt to split the Army failed. They declare the limit of patience has been reached. Mr W. H. Cowan asked the Premier to consider the exclusion of Ulster pending a general scheme of devolution. Mr Asquith replied that he was anxious to give the fullest consideration to any proposal likely to afford common grounds of agreement.

In February the Westminster Gazette (Independent) said there was an indication that the Government might possibly appoint a Statutory,, Commission composed of members of both parties to recast Parliamentary Government on a, Federal basis. It was pointed out that the reconstruction of the House of Lords was beyond the strength of any one party. Stress was laid on the indications that any agreed settlement of the Ulster question in the immediate future could only be transitory. The Westminster Gazette agreed that the House of Lords' problem should be included.