Customs touched that power, and therefore customs, like defence, must be left to the Imperial Parliament.

But, he argued, Irish Nationalists were not asked to give up anything which had been conceded to them by any previous Home Rule proposal.
To all Unionists he said: These proposals keep the power of the Crown over all Imperial services undiminished; they keep representation at Westminster--a corollary from leaving the Imperial Parliament powers over Irish taxation; and by accepting the suggestions already agreed to, they give a generous representation to Unionists in an Irish Parliament.

This special representation of minorities was, he thought, sufficient to give a guarantee of "sane legislation" while it lasted; and he suggested that the period should be fifteen years.

These concessions, in his opinion, sufficiently protected Southern Unionists.
To Ulster he said, "We share every danger threatening you--we have many dangers you need not fear.

Yet, we have no sinister anticipations.