IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2488, 11 April 1893, Page 1

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

London, April 6. In the House of Commons to-day Mr Gladstone, in a speech, occupying an hour and a half, moved the second reading of the Home Rule Bill. He said that he did not intend to alter its provisions except in one or two details. Criticisms of the measure were weak, and its opponents iiad not proposed any improvements. He denied that ihe Irish people were not civilised, and declared tint they possessed justice and a sense of sympathy with England’s political principles. It was, he said, absurd to assume that Ireland paid no regard to the favor or sympathy of England. The present scheme of government in Ireland was incredibly wasteful, and the administration cost twice as much as that of England. He declared that there was no prosperous union in tho world maintained by force. (This statement was received with cheers.) He pointed out that Holland, Belgium, Austria, and Hungary were happy since separation. The colonies, too, at one time were disaffected, but are now most loyal. He read a letter from Mr Fitz Gerald, of Canterbury, prior to autonomy being granted to tho colonies, in which he stated that the Governors were hissed and the press generally abused the Iw-

perial authorities, but now royalty was exultant and the colonies desired closer ties. Mr Gladstone would not deny that the cases were different, but still the same disease and a similar remedy would prove effective. He intended to propose that Ireland should share the cost of war and cease to contribute unduly to the general government. Mr Gladstone said that it would be impossible for the Irish members to often attend sittings of the House of Commons if their retention at Westminster was agreed upon. He suggested that war contingencies should be a prior charge, and ought to be imposed by the Imperial Parliament upon the consolidated fund of Ireland.

Sir Michael Hicks-Beach in moving an amendment for the rejection of the measure, declared that if once Home Rule was granted, it would be impossible to retract without war.

It is expected that the debate will extend over a fortnight. Mr Balfour paid a visit to Dublin, where he was cordially welcomed. In the course of a speech he declared his supreme confidence that the conflict over the Home Rule question would have a happy issue. In the House of Commons Mr S. Buxton, Under Secretary to the Colonial Office, replying to a question asked by Mr Henniker Heaton, said that Sir J. B. Thurston, High Commissioner of the Western Pacific, has been instructed to greatly modify the opposition displayed towards Mr R. L. Stevenson, the novelist. April 7. Mr Gladstone’s speech on the second reading of the Home Rule Bill evoked In ile interest. Only two hundred members were present and few strangers occupied the galleries. He stated that the autonomous colonies did not pay a farthing to the Imperial Exchequer for defence.

The Irish members are opposed to the proposal to make Ireland pay a quota towards war charges.

An active Unionist campaign is going on in the provinces. Speeches were delivered by Mr Goschen at Newcastle, by Sir H. James at Bury, and by Lord R. Churchluli at Liverpool. The last named declared that the Homo Rule Bill was knavish, thievish and tyrannical. Mr Hogan, M.P. for Limerick, has given notice to ask Mr Gladstone whether the Government will legislate in the direction of prohibiting the display of Orange emblems, as is done in Australia.