Semi-weekly herald., 1914-05-28

that he has not the slightest inten-
tion of doing SO.
The progress of the home rule bill
through the commons this year was
marked by one of the fiercest par.
liamentary battles in the country's
history, precipitated by the arming Of
100000 Ulster volunteers sworn to re-
sist the operation of the act, and lead
ing almost to the disruption Of the
government. The regular army was
on the very verge of mutiny due to
the blundering of the war office in
permitting officers to question its or
ders regarding service in Ulster; War
Minister Seely was forced to resign
from the cabinet; Field Marshal Sir
John French, chief Of the imperial
staff, and Sir J. s. Ewart, adjutant
general, when they discovered they
had been misled into signing q COM
promising memorandum with the re-
calcitrant officers, quit the service in
disgust, and Prime Minister Asquith
felt compelled, in order to prevent
further undermining of the govern
ment's authority over the army, to
take charge of the war portfolio him
self, and to go before his constituents
in East Fife for reelection as men,
ber of parliament.
Terms Of Home Rule Bill.
Imperial parliament remains su-
preme, but Ireland is given real
autonomy in regard to purely Irish
affairs, subject to certain reserva-
tions and safeguards.
Irish parliament, to sit in Dublin,
consisting of a senate and house of
commons.
Irish senate of 40 members, at first
nominated by lord lieutenant of Ire
land. They will hold office for terms
Of FIVE years. After expiration OF
first term they will be elected under
proportional representation, as fol-
lows: Ulster IA, Leinsteral, Mum
ster 9 and Connaught 6.
2 Irish house of commons Of l64
members, elected by existing consti-
tuencies on $4,000 population unit.
This will give Ulster 30, Leinster, Al,
Munster 81, Connaught 25. and Uni
versities 2.
Power of Irish parliament subject
to territorial limitation" No author
ity to deal with questions Of peace
and war, army, navy or treason.
Irish constabulary to be transferred
to control of Irish parliament after
six years; postoffice savings bank af-
ter ten years if Irish parliament
wishes; pensions after years notice
if Ireland Wishes. 4t
Irish parliament prohibited from di-
rectly establishing or endowing any
religion, from giving any preference
or privilege or imposing any disabil-
ity on account of. religious belief.
Lord lieutenant, appointed by crown
will have power to veto laws which
go beyond constitutional powers OF
Irish parliament. He will exercise
this veto on instructions from imper-
ial cabinet. sa.s sstn
Validity If laws passed by Irish
parliament subject to appeal to Irish
court of appeal and afterward to the
judicial committee of privy council.
Lord lieutenant's appointment not
subject to religious disabilities, as
now. (Thus a Catholic may be ap-
pointed.) =
Taxes to be collected by imperial
government for the present, with GER
tain exceptions. Imperial exchequer
will pay into Irish exchequer every
wear a fixed sum based on cost OF
Irish government when act passes, to-
gether with Irish postal revenue and
s2.5OO 900, to be reduced gradually to
81 900 900. (Thus if ireland saves
the money is her own; if she is ex-
travagant she will have to pay for
it herself)
Irish parliament to have limited
power to tax, but not to impose Gus
toms duty save on articles already
dutiable in the United Kingdom.
There are restrictions on legislation
on income tax, state and stamp du-
ties. Growth in receipts from reve-
nue. other than taxes imposed by Irish
parliament will go to diminish the
deficit ($1O,OOO,00O at present).
Forty-two Irish members Tor one
per 100000 of population) will sit in
imperial parliament at Westminster
instead of 1O3 as at present. If par
ties were divided as at present this
would give representation at West
minister of 81 nationalists and eight
unionists.
Bill to take effect not earlier than
eight months after passage or later
than 15 months as may be ordered by
the king in council.
u n II n u u u = n y y y u = " :,