The Irish standard., 1913-07-26

OellCQ, CuaC SCOItl6u lutSreStS were Ell.
ther neglected ON shockingly misman-
aged. and that Scottish opinion should
be supreme in Scottish affairs.
The Opposition fell back on satire.
urged that there was no pressing de-
mand for It, thatsit was impossible to
frame a workabls scheme, and. furth-
er, that England Ahad done we'll by
Scotland and scots1nen, and If this
were pressed she would inevitably re-
taliate. These, were the arguments
used in 1894. and sSthe same arguments
were forthcoming in the debate of a
few weeks ago.
Another stsp Forward.
In 1894 another step was taken on
the path to self-Government for
Scotland, when the Scottish Grand
Committee was set up by Gladstone.
In the concession Of this committee
we had a further admission that in
Scottish legislation Scottish opinion
ought to prevail, and it is to this COM
mittee that Scotland owes practically
all the beneficial Legislation she has
received in recentEyears.
From 1895 to 1906 reaction was tri-
umphant, and nothing was heard Of
Scottish Home Rule in parliament.
The matter, however, was not al
lowed to rest in: the country, and it
was continually cropping up at polit-
ical meetings in all parts of the coun-
try. Now Home Rulers stand in a
commanding position.
ireland HasiLed the Way.
Ireland has led the way. and Scot
land is supporting her full of con-
fidence and hope. The associations
which have been agitating for Home
Rule last year consolidated their
forces. The Scottish Liberal men,
bers, the Young Scots Society, the
Scottish Liberal Association, and the
Women's Liberal Federation are now
working together. and the first point
gained was the second reading victory
for the Government of Scotland Bill
in the House of. Commons, a few
weeks. ago. Thisssppl will, Of course
t1,; 60 on furfilet; sa Baaf ashs principle has
been accepted, and the measure itself
will afford the basis Of discussion with
a view to future legislation.
The Scottish bill differs from the
Irish one In several aspects. In thu
Irish measure provision is made fo
a two Chamber Parliament. Tht
Scottish members. on the other hand
remembering that the old Scottish
Parliament was a single Chamber cal
for Single Chamber Parliament. Un
der the Irish bill the number Of 1risl
representatives is reduced to forty
two. Scotland proposed to retain hel
full complement of seventy-two. Thu
Irish Parliament will receive contro
of the postoff1ce and have power tt
vary customs and excise duties; nei
ther of these powers are conceded t.
the Scottish Parliament, but the lat
4 ter will administer Old Age Pensions
National Insurance and Labor Ex
changes, all of which are denied t.
the Irish Parliament.
Owing to the land purchase schem
operating in Ireland, land reform il
practically closed door to the 1risl
Parliament. Scotland, as think wis
in her generation. would not look a
land purchase, and thus in her LAM
N reform she has an open field WHEREOF
to work. In this she is happier thai
Ireland, as there can be no doubt tn
problem of the land is the one grea
\ problem to be tackled ere better an
Il happier times dawn on our country
On these points, however, Scotsmel
and Irishmen will not quarrel. Eac1
country will develop in It's own way
and be thus both a teacher and a pu
pill Of the other.