The Home Rule Bill.

Manawatu Herald, 16 February 1893, Page 2

The Home Rule Bill.

Mr Gladstone introduced the Home Rule Bill in the House of Commons on Monday afternoon. He received a great ovation on rising, and spoke for two hours and a quarter. He stated that the Government still adhered to the cardinal principles laid down in his proposals for the autunomy of Ireland in 188 G. 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.

The Irish Parliament is prohibited from dealing with matters relating to the Crown, the Regency, or the Vu-e-Royalty ; peace or war, defence, treaties and foreign relations ; dignities, titles, and treason ; and everything belonging to external trade, coinage or from infringing the security of religious or personal freedom.

The sovereign power is delegated to the Viceroy, whose o'fice is to be deprived of a party or political character. It is to lasfc six years and to be without religious disability. There were to be two Irish Chambers, both elective.

The Legislative Council, Mr Gladstone contended, would afford the minority a fair chance of expressing their views.

The constitution of the Assembly is to be alternate for six years. Whenever a deadlock occurs between the two Houses after- a Bill has twice passed either Chamber, both are to sit together, and the majority shall decide.

Appeals respecting the invalidity of Acts passed by the Irish Parliament are to be initiated by the Viceroy or Secretary of State, and shall be heard by the Imperial Privy Council without the assistance of the House of Lords. This clause of the Bill is like the provision in force respecting the validity of colonial laws.

The present police force would be dissolved, and in future the police would be appointed locally. The power of vote would be nested in the Viceroy on the advice of the Irish executive.

The number of Irish members sitting in the Parliament at Westminster would be reduced to eighty, and their voting power would be limited, but they will be excluded from voting on motions confined to Great Britain, or taxes not levied in Ireland, or appropriation of money otherwise than for Imperial services. The Legislative Council would consist of 48 members, elected for eight years, on a qualification of £20 rateable value, and the Council cannot be interfered with by Act of the Irish Parliament.

The Assembly will be composed of 103 members, elected for five years by the present constituencies.

Ireland must bear her fair share of the Imperial expenditure. If she we're allowed excise, stamps, income tax, postal and Crown lands revenue, her income would be £5,600,000, leaving a surplus of hal a million.

Mr Gladstone said he felt the whole business was full of thorns and brambles, but the retention of members at Westminster was a

secondary question in Irish eyes, v and ought not to interfere with--* autonomy.

Mr Gl;uistcue explained that the Irish members in the Imperial Parliament would be allrwed to vote oil c[uesi/ions of confidence iU Ministries.

The Viceroy's veto would be exercised on the advice of the Executive Committee of the Irish Privy Council, subject to instructions from the Sovereign in respect to any particular measure. .

Mr Gladstone forgot to r..ention the land question, and wl:en his attention was drawn to it, said that land legislation would be reserved for the Imperial Parliament for three ' years. Sir Edward Clarke condemned the retention of the Irish members in the Imperial Parliament, and complained of the absence of protection to Ulster. The Opposition would, he 'said, offer uncompromising resistance 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 Irish Chambers. He raised objections to the financial scheme, and referred to the unique power the Irish members of the Imperial Parliament would possus in the future.

Mr Balfour moved the adjournment of the debate.

The Government aye expected to carry the second loading, but to have a hard fight when the Bill gets into committee.