IMPEMAL POLITICS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2465, 16 February 1893, Page 1

IMPEMAL POLITICS.

. London, Feb. VI, Mr James Lowther's amendment in favor of restricting the immigration of aliens was rejected by a majority of 115 and the Address-in-Reply was then carried. Mr Gladstone said the question raised by Mr Lowther's amendment was immature, and moreover one of extreme difficulty. Ho dwelt Oil the number of British, emigrants and the possibility of retaliation The Labour Department had already despatched a Commissioner tc\ inquire into the American systom of restriction, but the Government were willing to appoint a Committee to consider the question. The North Welsh Liberals formally threatened to secede unless Disestablishment was pushed forward, Feb. 13. There was ?. wild scramble for seats in the' "House of Commons to-day to hear Mr Gladstone's speech. He received a great ovation on rising and spoke for two hours and a quarter. Mr Gladstone introduced the Home Rule Bill in the House of Commons this afternoon. He stated that the Government still adhered to the cardinal principles laid down in his for the autonomy of Ireb'/nd in■"'J.BSG. They proposed t.QSfii up a legislative body in Dublin for Irish affairs only, and this i ssembly was not to be allowed to do anything inconsistent with Imperial unity. Equitable liquidation of Imperial charges \<as provided for. Minorities would liavo amplu protection, and lu Unit w>d the

Irish Parliament would be prohibited from dealing with numerous Imperial subjects. Security would be provided for religious and personal freedom. The Judges would bo irremovable. There were to be two Irish Chambers, both elective. The present uolice force would be dissolved, and in future the police force would be appointed locally. The power of veto would be vested in the Viceroy on the advice of the Irish Executive. _ The number of Irish members sitting in the Parliament at Westminster would be rereduced to eighty, and their voting power would be limited. Ireland would contribute £2,500,000 to the Imperial Exchequer from Customs duties, leaving her a revenue of over £5.500,000. The Legislative Council would consist of 48 members elected for eight years, on a qualification of £2O rateable value, and the Council could not be interfered with by Act of the Irish Parliament. The Assembly would be composed of 103 members, elected for five years by the present constitutencies. The Irish Parliament is prohited from dealing with matters relating to the Crown, a regency, or vice royalty, peace, war, defence, treaties and foreign relations, dignities, titles/treason, and everything belonging to external trade, the coinage, or infringing on the security of religion or personal freedom. Sovereign power is delegated to the Viceroy, whose office is to be derived of party or political character,' vahl is to last six years, without religi';"s disability. The Legislative Council, Mr Gladstone contended, would aiforcl the minority a fair chance of express; ng their views. The constitution of the .Assembly would be alterable after six years. Whenever a deadlock occurred between the two Houses, after a Bill had twice passed either Chamber, both would sit together and the majority would decide. Appeals respecting the invalidity of Acts passed by the Irish Parliament would be initiated by the Viceroy or Secretary of State, and would be heard by the Imperial Privy Council without the assistance of the House of Lords. This clause of the Bill resembled a provision in force respecting the validity of colonial laws. The Judges would be appointed during the next six years under j the present system. The constabulary would be gradually dissolved, and the Irish authorities would appoint their sucsessors, the police being under local control. Irish members in the Imperial Parliament would be excluded from voting on motions confined to Britain or taxes not revised (sic), or on appropriation of money otherwise than for Imperial service. Mr Gladstone said that he felt that the whole business was full of thorns and brambles, but the retention of members at Westminster was a secondary question in Irish eyes, and ought not to interfere with autonomy. Ireland must bear her fair share of Imperial expenditure. If she were allowed the excise, stamps, income tax, postal and Crown lands' revenue, her income would be £5,600,000, leaving a surplus of half a million. Feb. 14. Mr Gladstone explained that the Irish members in the Imperial Parliament would be allowed to vote on questions of confidence in Ministers. The Viceory's veto would bo exercised on the advice of the Executive Committee of the Irish Privy Council, subject to instructions from the Sovereign, in respect to any particular measure. Mr Gladstone forgot to mention the laud question, and when his attention was drawn to it said that laud legislation would be reserved to the Imperial Parliament for three years. Sir Edward Clarke condemned the retention of Irish members in the Imperial Parliament, and complained of the absence of protection to Ulster. The Opposition would offer uncompromising opposition to the measure,, Mr Sexton claimed that the Irish should retain the present number of msHibers at Westminster until the land question was entrusted to the Irish Chambers. He raised objection to the financial scheme, and referred to the unique power which the Irish members of the Imperial Parliament would possess in the future. The Government are expected to carry the Home Rule Bill, but to have a hard light when it gets into Committee.