The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1919-12-25
PREMIER Tells
IRELAND PLAN
Lloyd George, Outlining New
Bill, Warns Commons of
Irish Opposition.
NO PLAN ACCEPTABLE TO ERIN
Details of New Home Rule Bill Elk
planned to House-Refers to '4out-
rage in Dubiin"-Hopes for
Fair Scheme.

London. Dec. 23.-Premier Lloyd
George addressed the house of COM
mons on the Irish question. The pre-
mier last week announced his purpose
Of presenting to the commons on this
occasion the details Of the govern
ment'S Irish home rule bill. In open
ing his address Mr.. Lloyd George re-
marked upon the extreme difficulty Of
his task, difficult indeed" he said.
"after such q discreditaMe outrage as
has just been perretrated in Dublin. =
The premier said parliament must
get the fact right into its mind that
in the existing circumstances no pos
sible scheme for Irish home rule was
universally acceptable. Therefore, he
continued. parliament must assume
the responsibility and propose what it
thinks fair and just. A settlement
would be found not in the enactment
Of home rule scheme, but in its
working.
Freedom in island Affairs.
Two legislatures, one for Ulster and
one for southern Ireland. would be
provided, and the way is left open for
union of the two sections, should
they decide to take this step. Fullest
possible freedom would be accorded
the Irish legislatures in administer
ing the affairs Of the island, while in
matters affecting the empire Ireland
would have a vSice in the imperial
parliament.
The two legislatures to be created
in Ireland, the premier said, would be
clothed with full constituent powers
to create single Irish legislature to
discharge all powers not specifically
reserved to the imperial parliament
The premier said that the Irish con-
tribution to the imperial services was
estimated at E18,0OO.O0O annually. A
joint exchequer board would settle
the rate Of contribution for the future
and the question Of taxable capacity.
1t was proposed TO place f1,000,000 ct
the disposal of each of the two par.
liaments to cover the initial expendt
ture
Ireland, said the premier, was tbs
only country in Europe except Russia
where the classes who elsewhere were
on the side Of law and order were out
Of sympathy with the machinery Of
the government While Ireland was
never so prosperous as today, the fact
remained, he declared, that Ireland
was never SO alienated from British
rule as she is today.
Any attempt at secession, the pre-
mier announced, would be fought with
the same determination, force and
resolution as nd been shown by the
northern states In America
The representation of Ireland at
Westminster. Mr.. Lloyd George an
nounced, would be reduced under the
proposed measure to 40 members, as
In the act Of 1914.
Each of the two parIiaments would
have taxation powers equivalent to
those of the state legislatures Of the
United States The income tax and
the excess profits and super taxes
would be levied imperially. The Irish
parliaments would control all local
matters and all machinery for the
maintenance of law and order except
the higher judiciary and the army and
navy.
Parliament Reserves Rights.
The customs and excise services
would be retained by the imperial par
lament, the premier stated, but when
Ireland was united it would be open
to the imperial parliament to consider
whether united Ireland would have
control of the customs.
The premier said the bill would
contain clauses protecting Tie rights
of minorities. The postal service
would not be transferred. he added,
until there was single parliament in
Ireland.
The government proposed to give
the Irish government the advantage
of all duties and taxes raised in ex-
cess of fair contribution to the inn
perial services. and a free gift, in adj
dition. to finance the development of
the Irish parliament. the premier de-
clared
It would rest with the Irish people
themselves, said Mr.. Lloyd George,
whether they desired union. The
consent Of the British parliament
would not be required. and in order
to offer greater inducement to union,
the government proposed that certain
additional taxing powers should be In
force.
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