HOME RULE. DISCUSSED AT THE PROGRESSIVE LEAGUE. Auckland, September 30.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 408, 5 October 1889, Page 5

HOME RULE. DISCUSSED AT THE PROGRESSIVE LEAGUE. Auckland, September 30.

At the ordinary meeting of the Progressive League held last evening in llobson's Rooms, Mr Bridgewater gave the opening address on "Home Rule." lie said that the movement for Home Rule was commenced by Mr Butt in 1870. He believed great harm had been done by passing different laws lor England, Saotland, and Ireland, and that for the future laws passed by tho Imperial Parliament should be made applicable to all the United Kingdom. An extractof a speech by MrsPawcett was read, showing that the action of the Parnellites, Invincibles, &c, was driving away capital from the country. It was no uncommon thing for a proviso to be inserted in wills providing that trust funds should not be imested in Ireland. Arguments in favour of Home Rule were: — (1) That the only practicable method of governing Ireland peaceably is to allow her to manage her own affairs. (2) That self-government has answered in the colonies and would answer in Ireland. (3) That Home Rule in Ireland would leave the English Parliament free for English business. (4) That the relaxation of the legal union would draw closer the bonds of sentimental union. (5) That the restrictions and safe-guards of Mr Gladstone's Bill could be maintained. On the other side, it is argued : (1) That the method of ruling Ireland by steady and just administration haa never yet been fairly tried, but there are now few grievances to remedy. (2) That Home Rule is demanded merely that the weaker may be handed over to the stronger, and that the necessary interference of England at a later stage would involve the re-conquest of Ireland. (3) That the self-governing colonies wer,e well affected towards England when granted Home Rule, whereas Home Rule for Ireland is the result ot disaffection. (4) That the English Parliament can find other ways of freeing itself from obstruction than the granting of Home Rule. (5) That the leatrictions and safeguards of Mr Gladstone's scheme would either be so much waste paper or be made the eubject of fresh agitations. A lively discussion followed, in which Messrs Farrington, Renshaw, A. Withy, West, Douglas, Fowlds and Chapman took part. Mi Bridgewater briefly replied. The subject is to be further discussed at next meeting.