BRITISH POLITICS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9066, 5 February 1908, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

DEBATE IN THE LORDS. Press Association.—Copyright. Received Feb. 4, 11 p.m. London, Last Night. Lord Dudley, in the House of Lords, said he believed that the Irish cattle driving originated not because of the drivers’ covetousness, but because of their patriotic devotion to national demands. While warmly advocating the governing of Ireland according to Irish ideas, that did not necessarily involve Home Rule. As regarded the application of the Crimes Act, it was inconsistent with the whole spirit of Unionism. Lord Ashbourne said that when the last Government left office, Ireland was in a state of perfect order, and at the end of six months there was demoralization and disorder. Intimidation was rampant, and cattle driving prevailed in ten counties. A system which could have been stopped in a month had reached such gigantic proportions that a King’s writ was not effective. Lord Lorebnrn insisted that the disorder was exaggerated,and that cattle driving had much diminished. The Government declined to apply the Crimes Act, because it would create exasperation and bitterness, and be productive of more evil than good. The Address-in-Reply was carried. Received Feb. 4, 10.35 p.m, London, Last Night. The Daily News states that the Liberals are much surprised at the Government proposing to spend on Dreadnoughts the money needed for pensions. Such action must inevitably severely strain party loyalty. DISCUSSION ON IRISH AFFAIRS. Received Feb. 5, 8.6 a.m. {London, February s^. Mr Long moved the 'lrish Regulation, stating that though cattle driving had been checked this was not the result of vigorous administration, but of some compromise between Government and the Nationalists. He dwelt on the increase of shooting and agrarian outrages, and emphasised the terrible boycotting, yet Government sat with folded hands when it was possessed of an effective instrument in the Crimes Act. Mr Birrell, in a vigorous defence, affirmed that the permanent peace and prosperity of Ireland depended on the settlement of the land questoin and the speedy acquisition of untenauted land for distribution in economic holdings. Cattle driving did not terrify him, but the price of land and stock, the possibility of bad seasons, and the fear of disappointing land-hungry people did. The Executive had worked the ordinary law with the utmost vigor. The fact that juries sympathised with cattle drivers did not justify dispensing with juries and resorting to coercion. He indignantly denied entering into a corrupt bargain with the Bishops in regard to University education. He would be a monster if he stood aside and allowed crime to continue in order to bolster up Home Rule. He did not believe that the Crimes Act would stop outrages, and he flatly refused to put that Statute in force. The debate adjourned. THE CATTLE DRIVING. Received February 5, 8.85 a.m.’V, London, February 4. Mr Birrell, in reply to Messrs Staveley and Hill, said " there had been 334 cases of cattle driving since June. Animals had been injured in 27 cases, but none of the owners were personally injured.