3 FEBRUARY 1912, Page 2

The forecast certainly sounds probable, and of one clause there

can be no doubt—namely, that Great Britain will be called upon to pay a very large subsidy to the Irish Exchequer, while at the same time shouldering many purely Irish burdens, and also the whole of the charges for the Navy, Army, and National Debt. As it. is understood that the Bill is to be an instalment of Home Rule all round, and that. Scotland and Wales are, as soon as possible, to have separate Parliaments (and separate Executives responsible to them) on equally generous lines, the prospect is a gloomy one for the English taxpayer. Besides bearing all his own charges and certain selected charges for Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, he will apparently have to support the whole weight of the Army and Navy and of the National Debt.