The Irish standard., 1918-04-20
REPORT OF the
irish CONVENTION
Confined from Page L.


resentation in the Irish parliament, al
ready conceded by Irish Nationalist, it
offered to that parliament complete
power over internal legislation and
administration and in matters of
finance over direct taxation and ex-
else. But although they agreed that
customs revenue should be paid into
the Irish exchequer, the southern
Unionists insisted upon a permanent
reservation to the imperial parliament
of power to fix rates of custom duties.
"By far the greater part of our time
was occupied by this one question
whether imposition of customs duties
should or should not be under control
of the Irish parliament. The difficult
ties of the Irish convention may be
summed up in two words, Ulster and
Customs
Remarking that "the Ulster difficulty
that whole world knows" Sir Horace
goes on to explain the fiscal difficulty.
He says that since the geographical
position of Ireland Imposes obvious
restrictions in respect of naval and
military affairs" the Nationalist, seek
ing a government for Ireland resem-
bling, as closely as possible, that of
the other British dominions, concen-
trated their claim for home rule upon
a demand for unrestricted fiscal pow
ers.
The Nationalist were prepared to
agree to free trade with England, the
chairman continues, but both the
fsouthern Unionists and the Ulster
Unionists 'were apprehensive that a
separate system of customs control,
however guarded, might impair the
authority of the United Kingdom over
it's external trade policy. Neither could
they consent to any settlement which
was in their judgment incompatible
with Ireland's full participation in a
scheme of the United Kingdoms fed
Grafton, should that come to pass.''
AS far as the Nationalist and the
southern Unionists were concerned,
neither side was willing to surrender
principle, but both sides were willing,
in order that parliament might i'm.
mediately be established, to postpone
legislative decision upon ultimate con-
troll of customs and excise. At the
same time each party has put on rec
ord in separate notes, subjoined to the
report, it's claim respecting final set
Element of this question. Decision hav-
ing been reached on the cardinal is
sue, the majority of the convention
carried the series of resolutions, which
together form a complete scheme of
self-government."
asks in conclusion, chat the scheme
embodying the agreement will forth.
with be brought to fruition by those
to whose call the Irish convention now
has respondent"
The scheme mentioned by Sir Hor.
ace Plunkett as meeting the approval
of majority of the delegates is set
forth in paragraph AZ of the report
under the title, Statement of Conclu
sions," summed up as follows:
Section !. The Irish parliament to
consist of the king, senate and house
of commons. Notwithstanding the es
tablishment of an Irish parliament, the
supreme power and authority of the
parliament of the United Kingdom
shall remain unaffected and undimin
ished over all persons, matters and
things in Ireland and every part there
of. (Section carried by 81 to 49,
Section 2. The Irish parliament tt
have general powers to make laws fol
peace, order and the good government
of Ireland. (Section carried 81 to 49,
Section 3. The Irish Parliament tt
have no power to make laws on the
following: Crown and succession, thu
making of peace and war, army and
navy, treaties and foreign relations
dignities and titles of honor, necessar,
control of harbors for naval and mill
tary purposes, coinage and weights ant
measures, copyrights and patents. The
imperial and Irish government shall
| iosn<lv arrange auhioct IN imnoria1 oy