The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1918-04-27

has been recalled upon the principle
and details of Irish elf-government, =
he declares, than has ever yet been
attained r
1t was not found possible. Sir
Horace explains, to overcome the OBJ
jections of the Ulsterites The major
ity of the Nationalists, all southern
Unionists. and five out of seven labor
representatives however, agreed that
the scheme set out in the report
should be Immediately enacted into
law"
Main Difficulties.
The difficulties of the convention,
says the chairman, may be summed
up in two words, ulster and Gus
toms"-the latter referring to demand
of the Nationalists for unrestricted
fiscal powers. To this demand the
southern Unionists as well as the
Ulster Unionists would not agree, but
the southern Unionists and the Ma
tionalists were willing, in order that
an Irish parliament be, established, to
postpone Legislative decision on the
question 3e
II recognize" writes Sir Horace,
"that action in Parliament on the re-
suit of our deliberations must largely
depend upon public opinion" He adds,
that the work of an Irish settlement
is now felt to admit of no further
postponement. In the dominions and
the United States, as well as the
other allied countries, the unsettled
Irish question is disturbing factor
both as regard to war and peace aims. .
Favored Irish Parliament.
The scheme of the majority as de-
scribed in the chairman's letter pro-
vides for establishment of parlia-
ment for the whole of Ireland with an
executive responsible to it, and with
full powers over all internal legisla-
ton, administration, and direct taxa
ton. Pending decision of the fiscal
question, it. is provided that imposi-
ton of duties and excise. shall remain
with the Imperial Parliament, but that
| the whole of the proceeds of these
taxes shall be paid to the Irish
exchequer A joint exchequer board
would be set up to determine the Irish
true revenue; and Ireland would be
represented upon the board of customs
and, excise. of the United Kingdom
| Irish representatives in the Imperial
Parliament would be elected by the
Irish Parliament instead of directly
| by constituencies. 3. 81
The Irish Parliament would consist
of two houses, a senate of sixty-one
members, and a house of commons oi
200. The principle, underlying the
composition of the senate, is represen
tation of interests. This would be
effected by giving representation tc
commerce. industry and labor, county
councils, churches, learned institu
tions, and peerage.
Concession to Unionists.
Sir Horace remarks that, in con
stituting the house of commons, the
Nationalists offered to guarantee 4t
per cent of its slmembership to the
Unionists. He adds that twas agreed
1 that in the south of Ireland adequate
representation for UnioHists coulC
only be secured by nomination, but
as listers representatives mad in
formed the convention that those, fol
whom they spoke, could not accep
the principle of nomination, provision
was made in the scheme for extr;
representation of Ulster by direc
4 election
i Minority reports were adopted bot
i by Ulster Unionists, and minorit
Nationalists.
Result BY Sections,
The scheme, mentioned by ST
Horace as meeting the approval of
majority of the delegates, is set fort
in paragraph AZ of the report, unde
the title. Statement of conclusions,
summed up as follows:
Section l. The Irish Parllamer
to consist of the King. Senate an
House of Commons. Notwithstandin
the establishment of an Irish Parli
ment, the supreme power and ahtho
ity of tho Parliament Of the Unite
Kingdom Shall remain unaffected an
undiminished over all persons, ma
, ter3 and things in Ireland and ever
! part thereof. (Section carried by |
81 to 49, 49,. ., 81
"Section 2. The Irish Parliamel
Z to have general powers TO max lay
i fnF. peace riier and tho good COVER
! lnenl u Ireland. lseetlon carried