politics, and it is obvious that the raising of
artificial barriers might perpetuate the present lines of division.
A real settlement is impossible without the inclusion of the whole
province in the Irish State, and apart from the passionate sentiment
existing in Nationalist Ireland for the unity of the whole country
there are strong economic bonds between Ulster and the three provinces.
Further, the exclusion of all or a large part of Ulster would make the
excluded part too predominantly industrial and the rest of Ireland too
exclusively agricultural, tending to prevent that right balance between
rural and urban industry which all nations should aim at and which
makes for a varied intellectual life, social and political wisdom and
a healthy national being. Though for the sake of obliteration of past
differences I would prefer as little building by legislation of fences
isolating one section of the community from another, still I am certain
that if Ulster, as the price of coming into a self-governing Ireland,
demanded some application of the Swiss Cantonal system to itself which
would give it control over local administration it could have it; or,
again, it could be conceded the powers of local control vested in the
provincial governments in Canada, where the provincial assemblies have
exclusive power to legislate for themselves in respect of local works,
municipal institutions, licenses, and administration of justice in
the province. Further, subject to certain provisions protecting the
interests of different religious bodies, the provincial assemblies have
the exclusive power to make laws upon education. Would not this give
Ulster all the guarantees for civil and religious liberty it requires?
What arguments of theirs, what fears have they expressed which would not
be met by such control over local administration? I would prefer that
the mind of Ulster should argue its points with the whole of Ireland and
press its ideals upon it without reservation of its wisdom for itself.
But doubtless if Ulster accepted this proposal it would benefit the rest
of Ireland by the model it would set of efficient administration: and
it would, I have no doubt, insert in its provincial constitution all the
safeguards for minorities there which they would ask should be
inserted in any Irish constitution to protect the interest of their
co-religionists in that part of Ireland where they are in a minority.

21. I can deal only with fundamen