The Archbishop of York said that he had a strong
bias in favour of self-government for Ireland and of relieving the Imperial Parliament from the pressure of business which dangerously increased the influence of Government Departments. But he regarded the Bill as a block in the way of federation, by according Ireland financial privileges which could not be granted to other portions of the Kingdom. The central fact, however, was the invincible repugnance of Ulster, as to the genuineness of which he was now fully convinced. If the Government would promise to refer this Bill before it became law to the country, he would vote for the second reading. Otherwise the only course for a Second Chamber of independ- ence was to vote against it. On Wednesday Lord Ashby St.
Ledgers took up the Archbishop's point. The proper course would be for the Archbishop to move an amendment in committee, providing that the Bill should not come into operation until such time had elapsed as would allow of a general election taking place. Such an amendment would not be unreasonable coming from such a source, but he was careful to add that he could not say what view the Govern- ment would take with regard to it.
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