BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2437, 10 January 1881, Page 3

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

[Reuter’s Agexcv.j The British Cabinet and the Xrish Question. London, Jan. G. Mr Parnell lias taken Ins seat in the House of Commons, and lias given notice of an amendment on the Address in Reply to the Queen’s Speech, stating he is convinced that peace in Ireland will not be promoted by suspending the existing laws.' The introduction of Bills fur the introduction of County Government in Ireland, to secure protection of the person and property, and to restrict the sale and possession of arms, has been notified, and Mr Gladstone will move that the discussion on these measures shall take precedence of everything until they are passed. Jan. 7. In the House of Lords to-day the Address in reply to the Speech from the Throne was voted after a short debate. In the course of the latter Earl Beaconstield said that Government by reverting to the policy of administration, had endangered the peace of Ireland, and he blamed Ministers for not having earlier adopted a coercive policy. He advised them not to weaken the hands of the Executive in Ireland. Earl Granville, in reply, denied the assertions of Lord Beacons* field, and argued that Government was not aloue answerable for the state of Ireland. Ministers were, he said, determined to enforce respect for the law in that country. In the House of Commons the debate on the Address in reply is proceeding. Sir Stafford iSTorthcote attacked, and Mr Gladstone defended the policy of the Government in Ireland. The latter admitted that the condition of the country was shameful, but urged that earlier action was not justified for the repression of disorders without steps being taken to redress the grievances of the people. The debate has been adjourned to next sitting. The Pope has written a letter to the Archbishop of Dublin, in which he strongly condemns the method of agitation of the Irish to obtain redress for their grievances. He trusts that justice i

will be done them by Government, bnt he expects that Irishmen will respect the laws of their country.

The Panama Canal.

The first hatch of Engineers to undertake the construction of the Isthmus Canal have embarked for Panama.