THE CRIMES ACT.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 194, 11 May 1908, Page 7

THE CRIMES ACT.

REPEAL BILL DISCUSSED. SUPPORTED BY MR. BIRRELL. MR. LONG'S ADVICE. QT TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYMOH*. , (Reo. May 10, 4.8 p.m.) , . v London,- May 9. In the Houso of Commons Mr. E. H. Burke's Bill to repeal tho Crimes' Act, 1887, was read a sccond time by 201 to 77, and referred to a committee. . Tho Bill is not expected to pass. Mr. Birrell declared that tho Act was intolerable, and ought to be repealed. There had been only thirteen cases of cruel and vindiotivo boycotting; and 100 of a lesser dogree. He denounced eattle-driving' a-s reprehensiblo and illegal.' Hp relied on'the great land purchase scheme as a remedy, and did not anticipate terrible_things in Ireland. Mr. W. H. Long said whil6;tJie Government' Was hesitating a serious uprising was possible. It would be better to. keep in existence a weapon ready provided. : In July,. 1882,' under the guidance of Mr. Tr6velyan, the Chief Secretary for Iroland,\the Crimes Prevention Act was passed, to be in force for three years. Under the Aot the .Lord Lieutenant was empowered to proclaim disturbed districts? anil'substitute trial by magistrates for trial by jury in the case of certain, offences. In 1887, under the auspices of Mr. A. J. Balfour, the Chief Secretary, a perpetual' Crimes Act was: passed. Under this Act,' the Criminal Law and Procedure Act, resident magistrates wore authorised to hold an inquiry on sworn information. Summary jurisdiction was given to thorn to try cases of rioting or unlawful assembly," and eviction riots. The Lord Lieutenant was given power to proclaim districts and to suppress associations. formed for the commission of crime, carrying on their work by crime, violoneo;or intimidation, or interfering with the maintenance of law and order. In such proclaimed districts tho resident magistrates were authorised to tor charges of criminal: conspiracy, or intimidation. The present Government in • February, 1906, with-; drew the proclamations 'under this Act in the nineteon boroughs, and counties in Ireland in which it was in force. v '