The New Zealand Tablet THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 1914. THE GOVERNMENT AND 'ULSTER'

New Zealand Tablet, 19 March 1914, Page 33

The New Zealand Tablet THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 1914. THE GOVERNMENT AND 'ULSTER'

SHE dignified and uncompromising announcements as to the Government’s intention in regard to ‘ Ulster ’ and the Home Rule Bill embodied in Mr. Churchill’s speech at Bradford will be received with profound satisfaction by the friends of Ireland and \ Jsj&Y of democracy throughout the world. The Sr determination of the Government is definite and final; and it is expressed in the crisp, clear-cut sentences of which Mr. Churchill is such a master. The Government will not allow themselves to be bullied; and there will be no cowardly abdication of the executive’s responsibility. If Ulster desires peace she knows where to find it ; but if, with criminal folly, she prefers that civil and parliamentary systems should be brought to a crude challenge of force, ‘ then let us go forward and put these grave matters to the proof.’ Incidentally, Mr. Churchill draws attention to an aspect of the question which has been very largely overlooked if not altogether lost sight of by the repre- 1 sentatives of both parties. We have heard much’of the thrill of horror which would pass through the Empire if British troops were used to shoot down the citizens of Ulster. But as Mr. Churchill points out there is another side to this question. * If the Tories rejected

Mr. Asqpithls '.offer ifc could only bo because they preferred sliooting to voting. He was certain that the first British soldier.or; -.bluejacket.-killed by the Orangemen would' raise an explosion that the Tories little comprehended.' Viewing all the circumstances, Mr. Churchill reaches the natural conclusion that Mr. Asquith's offer is on 'principle the last one the Government can or r ought ; to make— a declaration which will, as we have said; be ; welcbrned by the Irish people and their friends throughout the world.' ''-'"*'" • ;: -

Tlip ‘question still remains whether even that offer ought not now tb be withdrawn. In a statement made in the House, pf Commons on Mr. Asquith iriiimaWd that if the Government proposals were to be rejected,* it would be a waste of time to formulate details of discussion—and if detailed proposals are not submitted it is difficult to see hbw the proffered con-' cession can ever be given effect to; It is no doubt true that the Government has strengthened its position by showing the extreme lengths to which it was willing to go in ord?r to bring about conciliation ; but, in our judgment, the price ,to be paid; for this advantage is too hjigb. It was never pretended by the Government that the proposal for the temporary exclusion of Ulster was necessary, or, called for on .its merits, or was in any "/way desirable’except in so far as it might be the means of “securing agreement between the parties. If it_,had been" successful in bringing about a settlement by consent,'lt "is, perhaps’ arguable that the offer was wogthj.-,-while. . when ,the parties in whoso interest itr.ifi.' '.scornfully ~reject it; when ‘Ulster’ will liMfcbnQVb ■ of;. it;and ■ utterly refuses to take advantage of it : and when its only effect is to handicap and cripple the Hhrtie .Rule scheme —then, it seems to us, the whole base ; for; Hie concession falls to the ground. After the tvhjr in- I '■wbich' . Mr. Asquith’s Olive branch has been received', he is fairly 'justified in. withdrawing it; and we age Rill in hopes that he will feel it his duty to drop tiie proposal. -...,. .. ... ....... \ g^ffhe^position, at-any. rate, is now clear, that the B)h|, will 9grt,aijily go through; The Government is firm|on the’ point; "and" if'lias the weapon for accompli to.';itgv-.hand. The fate and fortune Hqtpte Rule Bill,.yull be the first and, in a sejfee. till final .test of the’ utility of the Parliament Acs* Th^iAc^-,^iia^..ol>-thft'. : Constitution. It wa^pasgad-tcr nd after the historic struggle which thqy passed in' their endeavor to place it on the Statute Rook it is safe to sav that there is not a .XJb.eraU Labor,' or Nationalist member of the House of Commons who is not resolved to use it. T % r J .? 1 1 1 -