LORD, SALISBURY OUTLINES THE POLICY OF HIS GOVERNMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 202, 28 August 1886, Page 5

LORD, SALISBURY OUTLINES THE POLICY OF HIS GOVERNMENT.

Loxii before the time appointed for the Conservative mooting on July 27th, the Carleton Club building waa surrounded by a largo crowd. The people wero evidently strong sympathisers with tho dominant party,_ and cheered each leader as ho appoared. Lord Idoealeigh, Lord John Marmora and Lord Charloß Boresford were welcomed with applause that waa specially enthusiastic Kight Hon. William H. Smith, who una Chief Secretary for Ireland for a fortnight preceding the close of Lord Salisbury^ last government, was cheered heartily whon ho arrived, and the opplauso which greeted tho Marquis of Salisbury when he made hi« appearance amounted to an ovation. The now Premier was oven more heartily received by the meeting inside.

Lord Salisbury,, haying formally announced that ho bad accepted tho ollico of Prime Minister, paid that ho had, on behalf of tho Conservative party, offered the Premiership to Lord Hnrtir.gton, and that the Quoon had approvod the proffer. Lord Hariogton, howover, saw fit to decline the task of forming a Govornraent, but he promised for himßclf and colleagues that they would loyally support a Government formed by tho Coneorvati.-os. Concerning tho nature of this promised support, tho Premier said that Lord Hartington had given assurances that tho Liboral-Unionists would support tho Conservative Government on overy question concerning tho maintenance and intogrity of the empire. So far as tho Irish policy of tho Government was concernod, Lord Hartington had promiaod that tho Liberal-Unionists would givo any measure proposed by tho Government for redreas of Irish grievances most careful coiißideration.

"Concerning thia subject," said tho Premior, "I would inform tho mooting that in any schpmo ot reform contemplated in tho machinery of tho Irish question, I will do my boat to obtain tho co-operation of tho Marquis of Hartington. (Cheers.) Tho Liberal - Unionists rcservo to thomsolves freedom of action outside those limits, but 1 need fairly say that.wo can reckon on their support against vexatious and fractious opposition or obstruction, without giving distinct plodges." Reverting to tho Iriah quostion at tho conclusion of hia apcech, the Marquis aaid : —"I.might say nlsa that tho, Ministry will forthwith preporo a bill, to groplo with tho Irish difficulty in tbo direction of extended local self-government."

Arthur Loftus Tottenham, member for Winchester, hero asked what protection would bo in tho mean timo afforded to loyalists in Ireland whose lives wero becoming a. burden to them.

Tho Marquis of Salisbury repliod that tho Government meant to vigorously enforce the cxiating laws nnd apply for additional powers, if nocossnry : " but it is un wise," ho said " to discuss theso matters before the estimates nro finished." Parliament would bo at once summoned, ond Lord Salisbury announced that ho would eit continuously during August, for tho purposo of passing the estimates. Ho than asked those present to obsorvo absolute secrecy concerning all the statements of tho (lovornment's policy ho had made, and requested a mooting of hia colleagues, respecting a line of proposed mutual action between the Conservatives and LiboralUnioniats. Tho requost waa rocoived with deafening opplauso.

Tho new Irish bill, the intention to introduce which waa announced by Lord Salisbury to day, ia to bo essentially a local govornment bill, but goinj; aa fur in tho direction of homo rulo as tho Unionists ore likely to sanction. The bill will abolish tho title of Lord-Lioutonant of Ireland, and substitute tho ollico of Vicoroy.