THE CRIMES BILL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1597, 21 June 1887, Page 3

THE CRIMES BILL.

A SCENE IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

. I sever witnessed, sayaa London telegraphic correspondent of the New York Fostr (despatching March 20th), a more disorderly soene in the House than last night. It would not be easy to imagine, one. Irish members* were out in fall force. Seated with them were the advanced English Badicals, who began by sharing their view* and ended by imitating - their behaviour. Balfour’s remarks, previous to introducing the Government’s Irish Coercion Bill, were feeble almost beyond description. Finally, after quoting unimportant and unverified figures for ten minutes, he closed his manuscript, and said, with an air of triumph,''so much for statistics.” There was an instantaneous roar of laughter, which prolonged again the ridicule poured upon him by the Liberals and Farnellites alike. The disheartened Conservatives behind him raised a few thin cheers. It was not, however, until he reached the coercive clauses themselves that disorder grew overwhelming. He began by this bold statementj—■” We propose to abolish trial by jury altogether,” which caused another roar of laughter from the Farnellites, who, having once started, hardly (topped again, As Balfour proceeded to detail the Government's proposals, he was assailed by a shower of contemptuous questions showered at him, and’ it was suggested to ‘Go ahead,' 'Seepit up,’; 'Don’t stop.’ When ho hesitated for moment there was a perfect roar of oat-calls. At first everyone was astounded. The Speaker did not interfere, but the explanation of his conduct was doubtless that it was wisest under the circumstances, as he saw in a moment the Irish meoibers were so excited and filled with passion as to be absolutely beyond control. Be was hot willing to provoke a direct conflict between himself and them, which could only hare resulted in the tuspension of the front Opposition bench. Gladstone and Motley sat |stda by side. Gladstone's face flushed deep red—* most unusual thing with him—in his excitement, as the stringency of the measures became gradually apparent. Morley showed - similar signs of deep feeling. Both of them, several times, broke out into unconscious indignant gestures. Daring the latter part of the speech all order and authority completely vanished. It was impossible to look on without feeling deeply the chaos to which the great assembly bad been reduced. After Balfour's remarks there was one more sensation when Dillon spoke. Laboring under great excitement, he cried with a hoarse voice, “If the people of England should be capable of passing such a law, I should give up all hope of ever seeing the two peoples shake hands and be friends. If I thought they could accept such a measure I would abandon public agitation, fori would consider men slaves who wbnld submit in such a matter. I should do either of two things t I would leave for ever the country wherein no Irishman could live, except live a slave, or I would be proud to lead them on to battle.” Still more extraordinary was the fact that Gladstone turned completely round in his seat to see Dillon. He applauded in a manner that can only be' described as positively wild, cheering the speaker in tbe most enthusiastic manner. I have never before seen him so joyed by the utterance of any Parliamentary but it is only fait to add that he probably did not catch the concluding words of the sentence he applauded on account of the tumult.