IRISH PEACE PRESERVATION BILL.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 681, 31 May 1870, Page 4

IRISH PEACE PRESERVATION BILL.

Mr Chichester Fortescue, in the House of Commons on the 17th, introduced the Irish Peace Preservation Bill. He justified the measure by the enormous increase which had taken place in crime, the system of terrorism which had been established, and the inadequacy of the existing powers to deal with the difficulty. The bill provides in districts proclaimed by the Lord Lieutenant that a special license is required for the possession of a revolver, but exemption from this rule is given by the possession of a game license from the arms clauses. It gives compensation to the victims of violence, which is to be levied in the county where the offence takes place. The Peace Preservation Act is to be abolished. No arms or ammunition are to be sold except to persons licensed to carry arms. The magistrates be granted power to examine persons on oath, and commit to gaol those refusing to give evidence ; also, discretionary power as to giving bail. Suspicious persons unable to give a good account of themselves, may be imprisoned for six months. Strangers may also be so treated unless they find securities for their good conduct. The executive to have power to close public-houses at sunset, and to change the venue of a trial on application to the Queen's Bench. Every sale of arms and ammunition throughout Ireland to be registered. Power to be granted to the Lord Lieutenant to seize the plant, copies, &c. , of any paper preaching treason or sedition; with the safeguard, however, that any person may bring an action against the Crown, and recover damages should the Crown not prove the newspaper to be seditious. On 19th March the Peace Preservation of Ireland Bill was read a second time, and on the 23rd by 425 to 13. Only the extreme Irish party opposed it. Men of all sides supported it. The Irish national press is furious. It has since passed both Houses.