The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1887. IRISH AFFAIRS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1656, 7 September 1887, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1887. IRISH AFFAIRS.

! Affairs m Ireland have of late been attracting a considerable amount of attention both m the Home country and elsewhere. The passing of the Coercion Bill created wide-spread dissatisfaction m Ireland, and that was hugely increased by the passing of the Crimes Act, and the proceedings subsequently taken under its provisions, the climax, ho werer, was not reached until the Irish National League was "proclaimed" by Government. The excitement then became intense, and certain political agitators availed themselves of the opportunity to work upon the feelings of their susceptible fellow — countrymen, until matters assumed rather a serious aspect. "Monday's cables had an ugly look and bloodshed was feared. They informed us that n spirited discussion had taken place m the House of Commons on me action of the Government m " proclaiming " a Nationalist meeting convened, for Sunday at Enis County Clare. We are toli that m the course of the discussion Mr Dillon declared that the meeting would be held m spite of the proclamation, and if bloodshed occurred the Chief Secretary for Ireland would be answerable for the con- ! sequences. Large forces of military and police were despatched to Enis. Subsequent cables state that the meeting was held, but m another place, when a body of Hussars appearing on the scene, where 10,000 were assembled, the meeting dispersed and no disturbance took place. At one time a portion of the English Press were apprehensive that bloodshed would ensue, and had it occurred the consequences would have been most disastrous at a time when the pacification, good government, and progress of Ireland foim the problem of the hour. With a view to the former, Archbishop Walsh has suggested that a Conference of landlords and tenants should be beld to devise an amicable settlement of the present difficulties. The Archbishop's suggestion has met I with a large measure of approval, but we are of opinion that even if such a Conference were hald it would fail m its object until the question of future Government shall have been disposed of. Mr Gladstone's Home Rule policy, founded on that foreshadowed m the immortalised legend of " The Kilkinny Cat,' failed to prove acceptable to the people of Ireland, but still it was accepted after a fashion as an earnest of further concession. Sir Gavan Dnffy, m the Contemporary, states that Mr Gladstone's Irish policy was fascinating but not workable. " Irishmen," he says, "must frame a constitution themselves." Nothing else will please the Irish people. Sir Gavan therefore proceeds to propound a scheme of his own, of which the following is the telegraphic ptecis : — " He propones to create a Parliament with an Executive similar to the colonies, with a House of Commons and a Senate. There are to be thirty-five districts, each returning three members, but the electors are to be restricted to voting for two. The probable result will be one-third Ulsterites and the remainder Parnellites, eighteen unbiassed by religion. The Senate is to consist of fifty-four members elected from beads of churches, colleges, the judges, peers, prominent merchants; and lawyers. In the event of a dispute extending over three sessions the Houses are to vote together. Enactments are to be subjected to the veto of the Crown. The position of the Lord Lieutenant will be analagous to that of Colonial Governors, the payment of members is advocated, Engis to have the Customs, to remit a portion of the debt, to establish local government, and to enable the tenants to purchase their farm holdings. He concludes by stating that Home Rule must come." That some features of the scheme, as formulated by Sir Gavan Duffy are good, and just and fair cannot be denied. For instance, from the power of vetoing the Act being vested m the Crown, it might be argued that the Irish Parliament could not place on the Statute book any law which might threaten the integrity of the Empire, or provs injurious to any portion of the came, thus removing at pnee the roost i

fatal objection to Home Rule. Others there are which are vague indefinite! and almost unintelligible from the telegraphic summary. We shall, therefore, withhold any expression of opinion upon the merits or de-merits of the scheme until the full details are before us. _____