23 SEPTEMBER 1916, Page 3

Thirdly, says Lord Salisbury, the Irish Parliament cannot even be

given control over strictly Irish affairs, and he adds the really excellent " bull " : " A man cannot be independent on other people's money." (This reminds one of Artemus Ward's famous declaration that it was an absolute duty upon all of us to live within -our means, even if we had to borrow money to do it with) :-

" I need not say," continues Lord Salisbury, " that the Home Rule Act recognizes this disability, and with it must contemplate an endless source of friction between the Imperial and the Irish Parliaments. Take the last two difficulties together and consider the picture of perpetual friction between two Governments each fully armed. We could, of course, re-conquer Ireland, but we shall not. All that will be presented to us will be a long vista of disputes, struggles, and concessions. It is by reason of these difficulties that all analogies with other examples of self- government within the Empire are inapplicable. And these difficulties appear to be fatal."