MR GLADSTONE’S IRISH PROPOSALS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1492, 13 April 1886, Page 1

MR GLADSTONE’S IRISH PROPOSALS.

London, April 9. In the House of Commons last night, Mr Gladstone made his promised statement as to the Government’s scheme for the better government of Ireland. He proposed to establish an Irish Parliament, to sit in Dublin, to consist of a Moose of Lords and a House of Commons, ' ud to undertake both legislative' and administrative functions An equitable partition of Imperial burdens would he aimed at, and arrangmade for reasonable safegu mis for iln> protection ol the iuteiesls of the minority. Ireland would cease to send representatives to the imperial Parliament, which would retain the control of ' the Irish Customs and Excise Depai ti meats*

Further details in regard to Mr Gladstone’s Irish statement show that the first description of the proposed Irish Legislature, as consisting of a House of Lords and a House of Commons, is inaccurate. The proposal is that the Parliament shall Consist of two orders, sitting together if required. Each order will possess the power fo vote. The first order will comprise twenty-nine Peers, plus seventy-five members to be elected under o properly qualification. The second order will include the present Irish memb-rs, to be elected under the existing Parliamentary franchise. The projected Parliament will be incompetent to establish any form of State religion, or to deal with the Imperial army, navy, or the foreign and colonial relations of England, The Viceroy will hold office for a term of one year. The Royal Irish Constabulary will remain under the Imperial authorities, and Ireland will contribute one fifteenth to the charges of the Empire. The discussion on the Irish proposals was continued in the House of Commons until an early hour this morning. The Eight Hon. G, 0. Trevelyan, late Secretary for Scotland, explained the reasons which led to his resignation of office. He announced that he would oppose the Irish policy of the Government. Mr Parnell spoke approving of the main features of the scheme.

The metropolitan Press this morning generally condemn the proposals as tending to the disruption of the Empire, and the conversion of Ireland to the status of a colony. The Daily News is the only journal that expresses approval, and warns the Whigs and Tories that the rejection of the measure will entail upon them theproviding of an alternative scheme. Late.r Mr Gladstone, in delivering his Irish statement, occupied the floor of the House for three and a-half hours. The statement was very coldly received by the House, excepting the Paitvdlile section. Mr Gladstone admitted that the Irish would eventually control the police. Mr Trevelyan advocated the establishment of a central government to restore order, and to allow the local bodies to have control of educational matters and to develope local resources, Mr Parnell disagreed with Mr Gladstone’s proposal that the Imperial Parliament should control the Irish Customs, and he also urged that it whs unfair to Ireland that she should have to pay for the maintenance of the po'ice if she was not permitted to have control of them. He also considered that the. amount to be contributed to the English exchequer was too large. The Right Hon, L). R. Plunkett, member for Dublin University, said that he felt certain that if these proposals were adopted saparation would ensue. The members representing Ulster constituencies made bints that the men of Ulster would not obey the Irish Parliament. Mr Chamberlain moved the adjournment of the House. The Daily Telegraph, referring to the statement, says that it is the greatest revolution ever proposed by English Ministers. Mr Gladstone stated, in the House of Commons to-day, that the debate on the Irish policy of the Government will be resumed on Monday. April 10. The debate on the Irish question was resumed last night in the House of Commons, Mr Chamberlain explained bis reasons for resigning office, and criticised the whole scheme of the Government, which he considered afforded n>> guarantee of the maintenance of tin integrity of the Empire, He further expressed himself as being in favor of federation as the best solution of the difficulty. 'lhe Marquis of Hartington, who followed Mr Chamberlain, denounced the scheme, and appealed to all parties to unite for the purpose of upholding the integrity of the Empire and the supremacy of the law. Mr John Morley, Chief Secretary for Ireland, then addressed the House on behalf of the Government. He warned members that tlie only alternative to the scheme before the House was the initiation of a policy of drastic coercion for Ireland. Later. In the House of Commons, Mr Chamberlain made a damaging criticism on Mr Gladrtone’s proposals with regard to an Irish Parliament, He said that on his joining the M inistry it was agreed that the Irish Union should md be repealed, but that an enquiry was to bn made as to the h-st means of administering Irish off»iis. He c unplained that Mr Gladstone had presented a double barrelled scheme, without consulting his colleagues. He (Mr Chamberlain) had desired to explain bis objections to Mr Gladstone’s land purchase proposals, but had b on prevented from doing so by the Prime

Minister. Mr Chamberlain made a i.reposal to suspend evictions, pending ■nquiries being made upon a plan for Imperial federation, , The Marquis of Hartington argued that the adoption of the scheme would tend to the disruption of the Empire, and he denounced Mr Gladstone for “ springing a surprise ” without a mandate from his colleagues. He indicated that he was in favor of a coalition Ministry. Sir John Lubbock also made a damaging criticism on the proposals. No members of the Liberal party attempted to speak in support of Mr Gladstone. There are symptoms of Mr Gladstone’s downfall, and of the Marquis of Hartington succeeding him. The Irish extremists express the opinion lhaMhe Bill as proposed is inadequate and degrading. The Scotch, Manchester, and Birmingham Liberal Press condemn the ' seheme. The American opinion is favorable to the proposals. There is a growing feeling in England against the proposed exclusion of Irish members from the Imperial Parliament, and also against the omission of any provision being made for the safely of Ulster Prostestants, It is announced that Mr Edward Heneage has resigned the portfolio of Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.