Mr Gladstone on Home Rule Prospects.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 201, 30 April 1887, Page 5

Mr Gladstone on Home Rule Prospects.

In the "Nineteenth Century,"' Mr ("Had- j stone contributes an article entitled, j " Notes and Queries on the Irish Demand." After some observations justifying the selection of the present moment to form a temperate or reflective consideration of the subject of self government for Ireland, he admits that in the past Ireland has obtained some concessions from England through fear, but he advises her not to rely upon the fears of England for the accomplishment of Home Rule. Experience of a long life has convinced him that the strength of England is such that she might almost war against Heaven. He belives that his countrymen will arrive, and that not slowly, at the conclusion that one deep and terrible stain upon their history is to be found in their administration of Ireland. He would appeal to the innate nobleness of English character and to reason rather than to fear. The failure of the officials we have sent to Ireland during the past eentui'y is an admitted fact. They had to work against a great underlying evil, which defied their administratire ability. To the contention that the establishment of a statutory Parliament in Dublin would hand over Ireland to Mr Parnell's party he replies that if Nationalism is to prevail in the land it would be unwise to •xasperate it to a spirit of vengeance and resistance. The basis of the Nationalist party would be removed upon the establishment of a statuory Parliament. He affirms that the intention of the English Parliament towards Ireland has frequently been equi vocal, and that our Legislature is ill-adapted for dealing with purely Irish concerns.