New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-04-13

I& ~ n INK
Chairman of Irish Convention.
promise:
1T accepted government for Ire
land. In return for special minority
representation in the Irish parliament,
already conceded by the Irish National
plete power over Internal legislation
and administration and in matters of
finance over direct taxation and excise.
"But. although they agreed that
customs revenue should be paid into
the Irish Exchequer the Southern I'm
ionists insisted upon permanent res
ervation to the Imperial Parliament
of power to fix rates of custom duties:
BY far the greater part of our time and
attention was occupied by this one
question: Whether imposition of Gus
tom duties should or should not be
under control of the Irish Parliament.
"The difficulties of the Irish Con-
vention may be summed up in two
words, Ulster and 'Customs.'
"The Ulster difficulty the whole
world knows, but how the customs
ciple upon the decision whereof de-
pended the amount of agreement that
could be reached in convention, needs
to be told.
Would Follow Dominions
"The tendency of recent political
thought among Constitutional Nation
alists has been toward form of gov
eminent resembling as closely as pos
sible that Of the dominions, and, since
the geographical position of Ireland
imposes obvious restrictions in respect
| of naval and military affairs, the claim
for dominion home rule was conccn-
trated upon demand for unrestricted
fiscal powers.
"Without separate customs and ex-
else, Ireland would, according to this
view, fail to attain national status like
that enjoyed by the dominions. Upon
this issue the NationaGsts made
strong case and were able to prove that
considerable number Of leading COM
mercial men had come to favor hscal
autonomy as part of an Irish settle
ment.
"in the present state of public opin-
ion in Ireland it was feared that With
cut customs no scheme the convention
| recommended would receive sufhclent
measure of popular support to secure
/ legislation.
"To obviate any serious disturbance
of the trade of the United Kingdom
! they were prepared to agree to free
{ trade arrangement between the two
countries. But this did not overcome
difficulties of southern unionists. who
with ho
/ Unionists. They were apprehenslve
/ that @ separate system of customs con-
troll. however guarded, might impair
the authority of the United Kingdom
over its external trade policy.
Neither could they consent to any
settlement which was. in their Judg-
ment, incompatible with lreland's full
participation in scheme OF the Onlt-
! ed Kingdoms Federation, should tha1
come to.pass.
ut was clear that, by means of mu-
tual concessions, an agreement ne-
tween Nationalist and Southern
/ Unionists could be reached on all the
other points. On this important point,
however, a section Of the Natlonalists'
who have embodied their views in
separate report. held that no comPro-
mise was possible.
con the other hand, the majority Of
the Nationalists and the whole body. OF
Southern Unionists felt that nothing
effective could result from their work
in the convention unless some under
standing was reached upon the customs
which would render agreement on the
complete scheme attainable.
"Neither side was willing to surren'
der principle, but both sides we're will
ing. in order that Parliament should
| be at once established, to postpone
4. legislative decision upon the ultimate
i control of customs and excise.
CAT the same time each party has put
on record in separate notes subjolned
to the report it's claim respecting the
final settlement of this question.
decision having been reached upon
the cardinal issue. the majority OF the
convention carried the series of rcso-
lutions which together form COM
pletc scheme of self-government.
"This scheme provides for establish.
ment of a parliament for the whole Of
Ireland, with an executive responsible
to it and with full powers over all IN,
ternal legislation, administration and
direct taxation. Pending DECISION OF
the fiscal question, it is provided that
imnosition of duties of customs and cx.
else shall remain with the imperial
Parliament, but that the whole Of the
proceeds Of these taxes shall be PAID
into the Irish Exchequerl A Joint Elk
cheouer Board is to be iset up to dc,
termine Ircland's true revenue, anc
Ireland is to be represented upon the
Board of Customs and Excise OF the
United Kingdom
Unionists Insisted
"The principle of representation in
the imperial Parliament was insisted
, UPON from the first by the southern
Tnionists, and the Nationalist con
cedcd it. 1t was felt, however, thai
. there were strong reasons for provid
:. inc that Irish representatives at West
minster should be elected by the Irish
Parliament rather than directly by con
, stituencies, and this was tho arrange
ment adopted. =. -.
at was accepted in principle that
there should be an Irish contribution
, to the cost Of the imperial services;
. but, owing to lack Of data, it was not
, found possible in the convention tt
, fix any definite sum. >.
, ut was agreed that tho Irish Parila
ment SHOULD consist Of two houses. I
Senate Of ,sixty-four members and ,,
6 House Of Commons Of two hundred
I The principle underlying the compost,
0 tion Of the Senate is representation o.
int.rnsta This IN affected by KlVlnf