Mr. Asquith, in closing the debate, insisted that no attempt
had been made to deal with the argument that the character and persistence of the Irish demand was one which oould not be ignored by a democratic Parliament. As to Ulster, English people would not be deterred from doing what they believed to be just by the language of intimidation. He had been asked to say whether the Government intended to apply the provisions of this Bill in subsequent legislation for England, Scotland, and Wales. To this query lie replied that local conditions would have to be taken into consideration. The claim of Ireland came first and was paramount in its urgency. That is all very Svc 11 as a piece of Parliamentary dialectic, but the fact remains that if the present Bill passes the Government's federal scheme cannot be applied without doing a grave injustice to England. But if the injustice is avoided, and Scotland and Wales are placed in a different position from that of Ireland, then the federalism will be lop- sided. Imagine what would have been the result if certain of the States of the American Union, of the various Provinces of Canada, or, again, of certain Cantons of the Swiss Republic, had been given privileges not enjoyed by the other States, Provinces, and Cantons.
Previous page
