Norwich bulletin., 1922-11-28
COMMONS PASSED SECOND
 .r. READING OF IRISH BILL

London, Nov. 27 (By the A. P.)-The house Of commons tonight without di- vision passed the second reading of the Irish constitution bill, after debate in . single sitting without striking incidents
 That it has fallen to- the lat of a con serYative government to pilot through parliament final legislative sanction to measures granting Ireland such complete autonomy is one of the ironies of political fate. The conservative party for two gen eTations has steutly resisted the granting of self-government to Ireland in even the mildest form, and no political question during that long period has provoked anything like the bitter animosities and conflicts in parliament, on platform and in. the press which accompanied the fight around Irish home t7uie
 Now the first apparently is ended, and parliament with a large conservative majority quietly accepts the principle of the new. Irish constitution without even challenging division This Is all the more remarkable as it was mainly the revolt of the "die-hard" section of the conservatives against the coalition gov- ernment for setting up treaty with the Sim Fein which led to the rebellion of the conservatives against the Lloyd , George leadership and so overthrow the coalition government.
 Antagonisrn to the Sconstitution bill hardly took a serious form. Its rejection was moved by newcomer in parliament the laborite s. Saklatavala, who repre- sents John Burns old constituency. Bat tersea. He opposed the bill on the ground l that the Irish treaty was signed under duress and was therefore a greater ! mockery than was the act of union. The communist. J. T. W. Newboh sec 1 onded the motion, which was negatived
 without division after receiving no sup
 port whatever from any quarter of the
 house. MT. Sakiatvala, in the course of his speech, predicted that within five
 years parliament would find itself under
 the necessity of undoing this act
 | Colonel Wedgwood one of the laborite l leaders, appealed to MT. Saklatvala not
 to press his motion to division, arguing 1 that whatever the circumstances of the i signature of the treaty, parliament could not go back on it.
 | Premier Bonar Law in his speech dealt | in an interesting way with the question
 of the relations between the mother coun- l try. and the dominions. He moved the ] second reading of the bill and sgt the pace I for the house by the frank adoption ot l the standpoint that no matter what opin- ions were held parliament could not go back on the treaty.
 j. Ramsay MacBonId, for the -laborites and Sir John Simon for the indepenaents 1 liberals, expressed complete concurrence in the prime minister's attitude. Thus all; the great parties in the house found
 themselves on common ground in favor oi
 ratifying the constitution t Colonel .Gretton voiced the atdie-hard, dislike for the treaty. but admitted il
 was too late to challenge it's terms, H.
 criticised some points in which he be
 lieXed the constitution did not comply
 with the treaty.
 Ronald -McNeill, another die-hard. tool
 the same position as Colonel Gretton tha while he regarded the treaty policy A, 1 dlsastrous. he had to recognize that th, Inischief was done beyond repair and tha parliament had no choice but to carry i : to 9 conclusion and that the treaty collt not be abrogated. Parliament's duty nov was a pure formality. The present parlia ment and government had no option, an,
 therefore no responsibility. U The new attorney general. Donela [ Hogg, in speech dealing with the leea l aspects, stated that the ultimate autnorit; : for deciding any question as between th
 constitution and the treaty would be tn pflVy council He eloquentIy! describe, , the bill as message-of good will to tn 5 people of Ireland. The bill then passe :, its second reading. 3 If the Irish bills continue the snoot 3 progress of today, they may be passed i
 altsstages by Thursday, for there appear g to be practically no disposition to amen . them.