Imperial Parliament.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XIV, Issue 2899, 15 February 1893, Page 2

Imperial Parliament.

THE HOME RULE BILL.

(PER FBKSS A3SOCIVTIOW.)

London. February 13. Mr Gladstone introduced the Home Rule Bill in the House of Commons this afternoon. He stated that the Government still adhered to the cardinal principles laid down in his proposals for the autonomy of Ireland in 1886. They proposed to set up a legislative body in Dublin for Irish affairs only, and this Assembly was not to be allowed to do anything inconsistent with Imperial unity. Equitable liquidation of Imperial charges was provided for. Minorities would have ample protection, and to that end the Irish Parliament would be prohibited from dealing with numerous Imperial subjects.. Security would also be provided for religious and personal freedom. The Judges would be irremovable. There were co be c*o Irish Chambers, both elective. The present police force would be dissolved, and in | future the power of veto would be vested [ in the Viceroy on the advice of the! Irish Executive. The number of Irish members sitting in the Parliament at j Westminster would be reduced to eighty, and their voting power would' be limited. Ireland would contribute £2,500,000 to the Imperial Exchequer from Customs .duties, leaving her a revenue of over £5,500,000. The Legislative ..Council would consist of forty-eight members elected for eight years, on a qualification of £20 rateable value, and the Council could not be interfered with by Act of the Irish Parliament. The Assembly would be composed of 103 members, elected for five years by the present constituencies. The Irish Parliament is prohibited from dealing with matters relating to the Crown, a regency, or viceroyalty, peace, war, defence, treaties and foreign relations, dignities, titles, treason, and everything belonging to external trade, the coinage, or infringing on the security of religion or personal freedom. Sovereign power is delegated to the Viceroy, whose office is to be deprived of party or political character, and is te last six years withoit religious disability. The Legislative Council, Mr Gladstone contended,, would afford the minority a fair chance of expressing their views. The constitution of the Assembly would be alterable after six years. Whenever a deadlock occurred between the two Houses, aftera Bill had twice passed eitherjChamber, both would sit together and the majority would decide. Appeals respecting the validity of Acts passed by the Irish Parliament would be initiated by the Viceroy or Secretary of State, and would be heard by the Imperial Privy Council without the assistance of the House of Lords. This clause of the Bill resembles a provision in force respecting the validity of colonial laws. The Judges would be appointed during the next six yean under the present system. The constabulary would be gradually dis-' solved, and the Irish authorities would , appoint their successors, the police being under local control. Irish members in the Imperial Parliament would be excluded from noting on motions confined to Britain, or taxes not revised {sic), or on tie appropriation of money otherwise than for Imperial services. Mr Gladstone said that he felt that the whole business was full of thorns and brambles, but the retention of members at Westminster was a secondary question in Irish eyes, and ought not to interfere with autonomy. Ireland must bear her fair share of Imperial expenditure. If she were allowed the excise, stamps, income tax, postal and Crown lands i c venue, her income would be £5,600,000, leaving a surplus of half a million. In the House of Commons to-day Mr Gladstone said that he was tired of votes of censure. There was a wild scramble for seats in the House of Commons to-day to hear Mr Gladstone's speech. He received a great ovation on rising, and spoke for two hours and a quarter. The galleries of the House of Commons were crowded for tour hours by people waiting to hear the Home Rule speech of Mr Gladstone. The tone of the press is of a pessimist character. Mr-? Herbert Gladstone states that no doubt the Home Rule Bill will provide for a tribunal to review the decisions of the l Irish Parliament. London, February 14. Mr Gladstone explained that the Irish members in tbe Imperial Parliament would be allowed to vote on questions of confidence in Ministers. The Viceroy's veto would be exercised on the advioe of Executive Committee of the Irish Privy Council, subject to instructions from the Sovereign iv respect to any particular measure. Mr Gladstone forgot to mention the land question, and when his attention was drawn to it said that land legislation would be reserved to the Imperial Parliament for three years. Sir Edward Clarke condemned the retention of Irish members in the Imperial Parliament, and complained of the absence of protection to Ulster. The Opposition would offer uncompromising opposition to the measure. Mr Sexton claimed that the Irish should retain the present number of members at Westminster until the land question was entrusted to the IrishTChainbers. He raised objection to the financial scheme, and referred to the unique power which the Irish members of the Imperial Parliament would possess in the future. Mr Balfour moved the adjournment of the debate. The Government are expected to ' carry the Home Rule Bill, but to have a hard fight when it gets into Committee. Received February 15, 11.25 a.m.) London, February 14. Irishmen generally approve the Home Rule Bill, while objecting to some of the details, especially in the finance section. The Radicals object to the retention of Irish members in the Imperial Parliament, and it is believed that Mr Gladstone is prepared to consider that point. The Unionists consider the proposals confused and impracticable, and denounce the veto as futile. They'd is a lack of enthusiasm over the measure nmons tb« Liberals,

The Opposition will not call for » division on the motion to introduce the Bill. Many member* of the Radical party distrust Mr Gladstone's lukewarmness, and ar? not in favor of the retention of the Irish members. The- Unionists consider that the steps taken to maintain the Imperial supremacy are utterly inadequate, and that the double veto is delusive. " The Times " says the Bill is pro-' foundly disappointing, and that there are no real safeguards for minorities. The veto it regards as illusory, and considers that the proposals for retaining Irish members and leaving the land to m'*'■■•.'naries and the command of the highoaO bidder, highly dangerous. (Received February 15,11,30 p.m.) London, February U. The " Daily Chronicle " says the retention of Irish members at Westminster is a great and acceptable feature, and should Mr Gladstone waver on this point the Bill will be killed. The logical outcome of the Bill will, it considers, be Home Rule demanded for Wales and Scotland, The " Daily News " says the measure is more worthy of acceptance by Irishmen and more likely to command the sympathy and adhesion of the British people than the Bill brought down in 1886. The "Daily Telegraph" says the Bill is not statesmanship nor anything approaching that name. The total omission of the land question it regards as indicative of the spirit in which the Bill is conceived, The "Standard" believes that the Bill is impracticable and impossibly and if passed would never work satisfactorily. . The Provincial Unionist press regard the Bill as worse than that of 1886. They state it is the old Biff, thinly disguised, with the redeeming features eliminated; it is far too timid for Liberals, and does not go far enough for Irishmen, The Home Rule press refer to the proposals with guarded approval. The Nationalist feeling in Dublin resents the safeguards as too stringent. The Belfast press attacks the Bill. "Freeman's Journal" echoes Mr Sexton's views.