THE GREAT LIBEL ACTION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1772, 4 August 1888, Page 1

THE GREAT LIBEL ACTION.

London, July 31. la the House of Commons thejre was a healed discussion on various amendments made to limit the inquiry into the Times charges against Mr Ifarnell, bat ultimately all these amendments were rejected, In the discussion |on the clause appointing the members jof the Commission, Mr Motley and Mr Gladstone objected to the appcin* ndeot of Justice Sir Charles Day, alleging that he was biassed against the Parnellites, Mr Parnell accused Mr Chamberlain of betraying Cabinet secrets to Ihq Irish members, and of continually trying to undermine the plans ot the Irish party, Tho Opposition tried to limit the scope of the Commission to bettain schedules specifically named, excluding all other persons, bat the amendment was rejected by a majority of 56. , Sir W. TV Harconrt accused Government of connivance with the lime?. Mr W. 11. Smith excitedly and repeatedly denied that the Times bad in the least degree influenced Government, though he admitted Sir J. Walter, proprietor of that journal, had visited him after the decision of tho Cabinet had been arrived at. The Parnellites scoffingly refused to accept this denial, and several angry scenes took place. The debate was adjourned at 3 a.ra., after cloture bad been applied several times. In Committee on the Comtpission Bill, Mr Sexton moved that five judges should be appointed instead of; three, but tbo amendment was lost, | Upon Mr Chamberlain rising to speak Mr T. P. O’Connor exclaimed “Judas!” upon which there, was a scene, Mr O’Connor afterwards apologised, j Mr Parnell threatened to expose Mr Chamberlain’s secret intrigues before the Commission, Mr Chamberlain asserted that his colleagues were aware of bis negotiations with Mr Parnell, and Mr Gladstone partially confirmed bis statement. The debate was adjourned amid uproar,