HOME RULE BILL

Waikato Times, Volume 92, Issue 14367, 20 May 1920, Page 5

HOME RULE BILL

TWO CHAMBER PRINCIPLE, %}' ** ‘ACCEPTED BY GOVERNMENT. r'OTHER AMENDMENTS DEFEATED. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) I’Beceivod May 20, 1.25 a.m.) LONDON, May 18. In the House of Commons, in discussing the Home Rule Bill, Sir Samuel Hoare nywed an amendment establishing a second Chamber in the Parliaments. in both Southern and Northern Ireland. Mon. W. Long said the Government desired to make their proposals part, of a Federal plan, in which Great Britain would participate, the Central parliament of which would he in London; The Government believed that in the federal system the best security for a minority would be found m a Central Parliament. The Government proposed definitely to accept the principle of a •econd chamber for each of the two Irish Parliaments. He explained that the second chamber must be constituted so as to provide a real protection for the minority. Mr Long emphasised that this would involve a great change in the structure of the Bill, although the change was absolutely consistent with the fundamental principle of the Bill, namely, the establishment of tin; federal system. He pointed out that very difficult questions must lie cossidered; for example whether the second chamber should he nominated oh elected, but ho understood that the ‘Government would later submit a definite scheme. Major-General Seely urged that Mr Long's' proposals should not he long delayed, as* delay in handling the Irish 'question might fatally affect relations with America, and also with Hi" Empire. Sir E. Carson deprecated the mention of America. (Cheers.) It was high time America, or Hie pret n nded,spokes« men for America, learni to understand that we were still a great Power and not subordinate to America or any other great Power. We never meddled with exclusively American questions even for electioneering purposes.. Sir Hoare (lien withdrew Ins amendment. ‘ The Government opposed an amendment by Lord Robert Cecil, providing that. North Ireland should remain in a'Jrespects a part of the ladled Kingdom. This amendment was rejected by 203 to 80. Mr Clyncs amendment in favour of the. deletion of an ‘essential clause' establishing separate Parliaments for North and South' Ireland vas defeated by 213 to Cl.