The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-05-17
HOME RULE QUESTION
IS NEARING SOLUTION
Premier Defines Lengths to
Which Government Can
Go Safely Now.
ULSTER IS EXCLUDED
Principles of Home Rule to
Apply to Balance Un-
der Limitations.
ULSTER is EXCLUDED
Continued From Page One.)

\SOHtIuueu rage OnC.J
bill for the immediate application of
the home rule act to Ireland. but ex-
GLIDING therefrom the six counties of
northeast Ulster, such exclusion to be
| subject to reconsideration by parla-
ment at the end of five years, unless
it is previously terminated by the ac-
ton Of the council of Ireland, to be
set up as hereinafter described.
"Sccondly-With view to securin 9
the largest possible measure of COM
mon action for the whole of Ireland,
the bill would provide for a council of
Ireland, to be composed Of two dele
cations consisting, on the one hand, of
all members, returned to Westminster
from the excluded area and. on the
| other. Of a delegation equal in num-
bers from the Irish parliament. this
council to be summoned on the in
itiative of any six members. 1t would
be empowered by a majority of the
votes Of each Of the delegations to pass
private bill legislation affecting both
the excluded and included areas, to
recommend to the crown the extension
of the excluded area by an order in
council Of any act of the Irish parlia-
ment, to agree to the inclusion under
the home rule act of the whole of
Ireland. subject to the assent Of a ma
jorty of the voters in the excluded
area, the power to be vested in the
crown. in that case to extend the act
to all of Ireland by an order in coun
Gil. to make recommendations on its
own initiative upon the Irish question,
including the amendment of the home
rule act as finally passed. The presi-
dent of this council of Ireland would
be elected by agreement between the
delegations. or in default Of agree
ment would be nominated by the
crown.
Thirdly. the letter says that the
financial proposals of the home rule
Dill are unsatisfactory and should be
recOnSidered. Important objects, such
as the development of Irish industries,
improvement in town housing and the
furtherance of education, with in
creased pay for teachers, owing to the
war conditions, it declares, cannot be
dealt with under the bill without un-
due burden on the Irish taxpayers.
"Fourthly-Tne government would
recommend that after the second read
ing Of the bill, embodying the above
proposals. together with the home rule
act, it should forthwith be considered
by conference to be constituted on
the lines of the speakers conference on
electoral reform, though not consist
ing exclusively of members of parlia-
mcnt and meeting under the chair
manship of some one commanding the
same general confidence in his impair
ti.tljt\- and iI,l
himself.
Is Limit for Present.
"The government feels that a pro-
posal which provides for immediate
home rule for the greater part of Ire
land, while excluding that part Of
Ireland which objects to coming under
the home rule act for a definite PEE
Rod, when parliament will consider the
matter afresh. which recognizes the
profound" sentiment existing in Irelan d
for the unity of the country by Gre
ating a. common council to consider
Irish affairs as whole, and which fl
nally sets up a representative confer
cnce to attempt to adjust the most dit
ficult questions involved, is as far as
they can possibly go toward affecting
legislative settlement in the crisis of
great war. They are prepared to
introduce a bill on these lines.
'The government is ready, in default
of the adoption of the present pro-
posals for home rule to take the ncces =
sary steps for assembling such a con-
vention. | should be much Obliged If
you found it possible to give me your
views on this letter in order to allow
the government to consider the matter
before Monday"