MR CHAMBERLAIN'S HOME RULE PLEDGES. (Pall Mall Gazette )

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2170, 5 June 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

MR CHAMBERLAIN'S HOME RULE PLEDGES. (Pall Mall Gazette )

The idea having in some way or other gained possession of the public mind that Mr Chamberlain is opposed to Home Rule, it may be well to dissipate that delusion by reminding the public in general and Mr Chamberlain's friends in particular of the following facts, the authenticity of which Mr Chamberlain will be the last person to dispute :—: — When Mr Chamberlain made his first attempt to gain a seat in the House of Commons, he stood as the Radical Home Rule candidate for the borough of Sheffield at the general election of 1874. So pronounced was his attitude on the Home Rule question that special appeals were addressed to the Liberal electors who disapprox etl of Home Rule not to refuse to vote for Mr Muiulella on account of their antipathy to the Home Rule policy of Mr Chamberlain. In 1874 Mr Chamberlain expressed the meanest opinion of Mr Gladstone's programme, and set out an unauthorised programme of his own, which diifered from th.it of 1885 chiefly in the prominence given to Home Rule, which last year gave place to the scheme familiarly known as that of '•Three Acres and a Cow." Mr Butt vrai then pressing his scheme for the establishment for an Irish Parliament on College-green, and to this Mr Chamberlain declared his full adhesion, subject, of course, to the same reservation of the unity of the Empire, which Mr Butt th«»n and Mr Purnell now unreservedly accept. He also advocated the exclusion of the Irish members from St. Stephen's, on the same ground as that taken by Mr Morley at Chelmsford last January. The following are some extracts from speeches delivered by Mr Joseph Chamberlain during his parliamentary candidature in Sheffield, 1874, us reported in the Sheffield Independent : — At a meeting held in Paradise-square on Thursday, January 1. . . A voice in the crowd : What about Borne Rule for Ireland ? Mr Chamberlain : Home Rule for Ireland is worthy of a separate and lengthened discussion. I can only say now, generally, that if Mr Butt may be considered as a true exponent of the views of the Home Rulers, I am in favour of the system he advocates, and I believe also the extension of the system of local government would be of the greatest advantage both to England and Ireland. (Hear, hear.) But it is only fair and candid to say that I am not in favour of any system which would go further than this and which would separate the Imperial relations which at present exist between the two countries. (Hear, hear.) Meeting held in Cemetery-road Vestry Hall, Thursday, January 29, 1874, Mr Chamberlain said :— He approved of the Homo Rule movement He held that Irishmen had a right to govern themselves and their own affairs, and he was willing to oonoede it to them. (Cheers.) It would be an advantage to both parties ; the Irish would be satisfied, and the Legislature would move on at an accelerated pace without the Irish members. At present they only travelled by Parliamentary train, and that was uot quick enough for him. (Laughter.) He did not wish for a severanoe hetween the two countries ; on the contrary, he should oppone anything which was likely to lead to a dismemberment of the Empire. (Cheers.) Hebelievod that if they had met the Irish people years ago hi a spirit of loyal concession they would have escaped many of the difficulties of recent years. (Cheers.) Meeting held at Hill Top, Atteroliffe, Saturday, January 31, 1874 ?— « And was in favour of Home Rule." [Summary of answers to questions.]

The following true story relating to Prince Biamark's first meetiug with Dr. Schweninger will appear ia the German ohauaellor's authobigraphy. The doctor, who is the only man living who can " keep the prince down," did not at first prepossess his illustrious patient very favourably. After he had been asked a whole string of questions as to his symptoms, habits of life, diet, etc., the prince lost his patience, and expressed himself dissatisfied with Dr. Schweninger's persistency, by saying, abruptly, "I think you have asked me quite enough." The doctor replied : " Just as you please, highness. If you wish to be cured without being asked questions, you had better consult a veterinary surgeon. Bismark was at first speechless with indignation at the brusqueness of this retort, but recovered himself in a moment, and, after having replied to several more interrogatories, contented himself with saying, at the conclusion of the interview : "I hope, sir, that I will find your skill equal to your impertinence,' 1