LATE ENGLISH NEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1548, 3 May 1887, Page 3

LATE ENGLISH NEWS.

(Per steamer at Albany.) Although the foreign situation still affords scope for all kinds of rumour and •peculation, especially as regards Ru?sla, whose foreign policy may be influenced by internal conditions, whereof the recent attempt on the life of the Czir la a symptom, puWio altontion ia centred on Ireland and Irish measures. Tho introduction of the BUI to amend the Irish criminal law has been the signal for the first real struggle between the Government and the whole strength of the Opposition. Mr Gladstone has assumed an attitude of determined antagonism to tho measure, declaring that statistics prove that Irish crime Ii absolutely insufficient to warrant inch restraint on the liberty of Irishmen.

Mr Arthur B*lfour Secretary for Ireknd", jtated the Government considered that throughout a large extent of Ireland the ordinary law was not m force, its placo being taken by the terrorism and intimidation of the National league. It is believed the Bill will be opposed at every atage,

Mr John Dillon's speech, m which he threatened to lead popular resistance if the Bill passed, lasted three hours. It !s thought all the membsrs of the Irish party frill deliver similar speeches.

Although the Unionist Liberals as a body support the Bill. Mr Chamberlain •nd hU following take exception to a clause empowering the Government to older a change of venue to England. It ia thought the Bill will be modified m Committee,

The Irish Land Act Introduced m the Lords by Lord Cadogan ia merely a temporary measure to deal with matters of urgency and difficulty arising from the Act of 1880, and to ameliorate the condition of tenants, pending a measure which the Government intend to introduce later.