New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-08

council and the supremacy of the imperial Par
lament would be safeguarded by the power
given TO the Lord Lieutenant to reserve his con-
sent to any resolution of the council.
The departments coming under the control of
the proposed council would be the Local Govern
ment Board, Department of Agriculture Con-
gested Districts Board, Commissioners of Public
Works, National Education and Intermediate
Education, Inspectors of the Reformatory and
Industrial Schools and the Registrar General.
The Supreme Court judicature, Royal Irish
Constabuary, Dublin Metropolitan Police, the
Land Commission and the Prisons Board would
remain Aunder the control of the imperial au-
thor1ties.
Mr. Birrell went on TO explain that the coun-
ell being elected on a Local Government Board
franchise. peers and women could vote. The
constituencies, roughly, would be the same as
those of the present Parliamentary areas. He
aid not think 107 members were too many to
discharge the important duties assigned TO them.
The council would be elected for three years
and authorized to establish as many committees
as IL pleased, but it must establish Finance,
PUBIC Works, Education and Local Govern
ment Board committees the chairmen of which
would be appointed by the Lord Lieutenant 1t
was proposed to establish education de-
partlnent for primary and secondary education.
TO be placed under the control Of the council.
4 FUND OF $2O,OO00O0 ANNUALLY
For the financial purposes of the eight depart
ments afcertain annual sum, 10 be fixed by Par
lament every five years would be charged to
the consolidated fund and paid into a separate
Irish clnd. The present cost of the eight de-
partments was estimated at a little over $1O-
100000 yearly. The government proposed to
hand over in addition, the sum Of $3,2J0000
yearly, of which S1,jOO,0 600 must be devoted to
public works and the general development of
the country. including other statutory payments.
An Irish fund, therefore, to the amount of d
little over $20,000,o00 annually, would be Gre
ated. 1t would be paid into a special Irish
treasury, to be created by an order in council
and having an Irish treasurer at its head.
The council would have the power TO appoint
or remove the officers of the eight departments
mentioned above. but the rights of the exist
ing officers would be preserved
Under the bill any British subject would be
able to hold the office of Lord Lieutenant with
out preference for any religious belief A clause
was also included providing that no preference
whatever should be shown to any religious de-
nomination in appointments, and that any re-
sultng from such preference should be invalid
In conclusion Mr.. BirreH said
The government has been told that the bill
paved the way for Home Rule If the bill
passes and the council is a success then, |
dare say. il might pave the way. If. the
consideTa bic obstacles, but surely the Unionists
will not refuse ireland an opportunity for train
ing her people TO acquire any right they ought
TO possess. because If the measure proves sue
cessfuI one of the difficulties in the way of
Home. Rule will have been removed.
Mr. Balfour the opposition leader. character
ICED the bill as grossly unfair. as the Irish
members of Parliament were still able to inter
fere IN English and Scotch affairs. while the
House of Commons would be unable to say a
word in the analogous business about to be
transferred to the new council. The measure
would not legitimately relieve the aspirations of
the Irish, and would only cause confusion in the
administration and entail grievances on Scotland
and England.
He said that there was object which was
desired in connection with the government Of
Ireland which would be furthered by the ex-
traordinary proposals of the Irish Secretary.
More preposteTous suggestions regarding local
government had never been made. They would
cause collisions with the authorities and inev-
ttably involve a breakdown Of the whole scheme.
The proposals would satisfy neither the English
nor the Scotch and still less the Irish
MIR. REDMOND RESERVES JUDGMENT
John Redmond the Irish leader, said that I'M
til he and his colleagues had time to consider
every feature of the bill and elicit Irish public
opinion in regard TO II could expect him
TO give either deliberate or a final Judgment.
Mr.. Gladstone proposed to solve the problem by
the full and frank concession of self government
and autonomy TO the Irish people, but what the
present government offered was not home rule
a substitute for it. The Irish still demanded
home rule and rested their claim on their his
toric right and the admitted failure of a century
Of British government Of ireland.
AS Home Rulers Mr.. Redmond thought they
were justified In regarding the scheme as con-
sistent with the maintenance Of their aspira-
tons. and he proceeded to apply certain tests to
the scheme regarding giving general and eff
fective control TO Irish public opinion over the
matters with which the bill dealt He said he
did not like the nominated element. Mr.. Red-
mond agreed with Mr.. Balfour that it was not
democratic. but If he told that the govern
rnents object TO give large representation
TO the minority who were suspicious regarding
the action of the majority then he would be
perfectly willing accept this undemocratic
principle. He believed that the minOrty's fears
were honest but groundless. There were no
Limitations to which he would not go to meet
these fears.
Mr. Redmond said that the power given to the
Lord Lieutenant appeared to go far beyond the
ordinary veto limits. If that the pro-
vision did away with the genuine character ot
the power given to the council. Apart from
that he thought that the control was genuine
and complete.
FEAR IN REGARD TO FINANCES.
After expressing doubt regarding the feasibil-
fty of some Of the minor features of the bill Mr.
Redmond took up what he termed the most