Gilpin observer., 1908-04-02
COMMONS FOR
HOME RULE
REDMoND's HOME RULE REsoLU.
TIoN ADOPTED BY VERY
LARGE MAJORITY.
DEBATE IS SPIRITED
NO Definite ACTION CAN BE
TAKEN UNTIL AFTER GEN.
ERAL ELECTION.

Monday night after lengthy debate
on the question of home rule for Ire
land, adopted by vote of 313 to 157 3
resolution moved by John E. Redmond.
the Nationalist leader, that in the
opinion of this house solution Of this
problem can only be attained by giving
the Irish people legislative and execu-
tive control of all purely Irish affairs"
after the resolution had been amended
by adding the words "all subject to the
supreme authority Of the imperial par
lament"
1t was known beforehand that the de-
bate could have but an academic inter-
est, because the government had al
ready pledged that there would be no
deal in the matter of home rule until
1t had been given a mandate at the
general election. But the debate was
made notable by the strong declaration
Of Chancellor Asquith, which was all
the weightier because made at the mo-
ment Mr.. Asquith is actually assuming
the premiership.
Mr.. Balfour in a brief speech ac-
cused his opponents Of speaking with
two meanings, a radical meaning and
a Nationalist meaning. He asked how
it was possible to carry out great Irish
reforms with British money except by
British parliament, and ironically
challenged Mr.. Asquith to clear up this
ambiguity.
Amid ironical Unionist laughter Mr..
Asquith arose and said that never in
his life had he felt less embarrassed.
For over twenty-four years he and his
colleagues had steadily and consistent
ly advocated self-government with re-
spect to 1reland's purely local affairs.
He held that opinion now as strongly
as ever. He could not, however, sup
port Mr.. Redmond's motion in its pres
ent form because he found in 1t no ex-
plicit recognition of imperial supre-
macy and because no parliament would
be justified in embarking on such a
task unless the matter had first been
submitted to the electorate. 1t would
be a gross and inexcusable violation
of their promises to do SO in the life
time Of the present parliament. So far
cerned, he said they had exhausted
their powers in regard to the problem
of Irish government in the Irish coun-
ellis bill last year.
Timothy Healy closed the debate. de.
claring that Mr.. Asquith was mistaken
If he supposed he would commend him.
self to the Irish nation by his speech.
Earl Percy, on behalf OF the Union.
lists, moved an amendment declaring
the house to be unalterably opposed to
the creation of an Irish parliament
with a responsible executive, but the
amendment was rejected.
Mr.. AsQuith's speech seems likely to
produce strained relationship be-
tween the government and the Nation
alists. Bitter disappointment at 1t was
expressed in the lobbies by the Irish
members.
Mr.. Healy's speech was a scathing
attack on the chancellor. He remind
ed the house that in the question of
amnesty for the dynamiters some years
ago Mr.. Asquith CLOSED the gates Of
mercy with a clang," but the gates
were opened by the Tory party within
two years.
Then referring to the ordeal of the
Pigott forgeries, Mr.. Healy said that
the only thing he regretted was that
Mr.. Asquith was engaged In that case
to defend the Parnellites. Continuing
he said that IL was on the Irish ques.
ton that Mr.. Asquith first came into
notice.
To-day he is an important man."
said the speaker. tomorrow he may be
god, but We shall not worship at his
shrine"
Mr.. Healy's argument was that the
Conservatives would force free trade
versus protection" as plank at the
next general election; therefore. Mr..
Asquith's attitude meant indefinite de-
ferment Of home rule.