Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-06-06
THE BRITISH CRISIS
XXI.-What Home Rule
Means.
BY Frederic J. Haskin.

DJTBIJN MAY 25-Homc rule, the
home rule of Mr.. AsqCith's bill, does not
mean the re-establishment of an Irish
parliament in Iblin with all the powers
possessed by tl.at elder parliament that
was strangled here by bribery and cor
ruption more than century ago In
a sense, may say II means about
what the restoration Of civil government
meant to South Carolina when the fed
eral troops were withdrawn In 1871 after
the civil war and the era of reconstruc
tion had ended.
Mr. Asquith said when he introduced 1t:
Eve mean this bill to confer upon Ire
land, in regard 10 Irish concerns. local
autonomy. subject only to such reserya
tions and safeguards as the peculiar cir
cumstances of the case require.
The bill itself says: Notwithstanding
the establishment of the Irish parliament
or anything contained IN this act the
supreme power and authority of parla
ment in the United Kingdom shall remain
Unaffected and undiminshed over all per-
sons. matters and things within his
maJestys dominionS.
Home rule. then. does not mean that
measure of liberty and freedom granted
to Canada, to Australia. or even to the
Beers of South Africa.
TIE bill in fact differs very materially
from either of those introd uced by Mr..
Gladstone. The bill of 1SSt gave almost
complete power. but eliminated Ireland
Prom any presentation in the imperial
parliament. The Hill of 1893 left eighty
members in the old parliament but gave
-hnlted powers and dealt very largely
With land legislation in contemplation
me present bill leaves Ireland with a
representation at Westminster In the i'm
rerfal parliament of forty-two members
II sets up in Dublin a parliament consist
ING OF a senate and house of commons
inc senate Is to consist of forty members
IN the first parliament they will all be aI-
pointed by the British prime minister.
and the senators will retire by rotation
AFTER filling eight-year terms After the
hrst senate all new senators will be ap-
pointed by the Irish prime minister.
me mouse OF commons is to be COM
posed OF 1854 members elected by the ex-
listing parliamentary constituencies with
additional members in such districts as
have multiples of the unit of population.
winch is 1900. Ulster will have 50. Lem
members. while each of the two uniyer-
stiles is given one member
When the two houses disagree they
will sit together and vote together on the
particular meas
Shall Sit Jointly ure in question,
to Break Deadlock. this feature be-
the South African constitution.
The executive will be the lord lieuten-
ant. or viceroy. He will of course. have
nothing to do with the government any
more than the King in England, or the
governor general in Canada. But he will
wear the god lace. make the speech
from the throne and do all the other king
business. while the real governors pre-
tend he does things himself. 1t wouldn't
be British at all ii this fol-de-ro, were
left out of it
:, The real power viii be in the cabinet.
headed by 9 prime minister. which will
represent the majority faction in the
mouse OF commons. Its powers will be
limited by the legisla tive powers granted
to the new Irish parliament and subject
20 all the restrictions reserved to the i'm
peria1 parliament in the act.
With its appointed senate, and the
larger proportion of seats given to Ulster
an American would not consider this
legislative constitution a radical expert
ment in extreme democracy. but it is SO
considered over iere. The appointed SEN
ate in many quarters is considered the
best thing in the DILL.
The new Irish parliament will have no
power to deal with matters affecting the
crown. cannot make treaties declare war
or make peace. has no power over the
army or navy. cannot grant titles of no
oilty and can make no laws respecting
treason. These things are reserved as
affecting the imperial sovereignty.
Then certain other things are reserved
to the imperial government. The first.
strange to say, is the Irish land purchase
machinery This was based on imperial
credit, the government advancing the
money to enable the tenants to purchase
the lands. An Irish parliament. it was
thought. might not be too harsh with
ielinquencies, so that is reserved for
Westminster.
The Old age pensions anu the national
insurance machinery is also kept under
the imperial wing. as are the postal saw
ings banks. Oddly enough. the post Of
fee is turned over to the Irish govern
ment.