THE HOME RULE BILL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXV, Issue 7862, 18 May 1886, Page 5

THE HOME RULE BILL.

[By Telegraph.] [from oue own correspondent.] {Per s.s?Manapouri, via the Bluff.) INVERCARGILL, Mat 17. The following special cablegrams have appeared in the Melbourne Daily TeleLondon, May 3. The Premier, Mr Gladstone, issued a manifesto addressed to his constituents at Midlothian, in which he sets forth ms policy on the Home Rule for Ireland. He states that no event in Parliamentary history has rung throughout the world to such an extent as this question of Home Rule. The Cabinet, he declared, were prepared with an intelligible plan, and were determined to persevere. He regretted that the Irish landlords, while the sands were running through the hour glass, were hesitating to accept his proposals for the purchase of their estates. Referring to the opposition to his scheme, he dwelt on the conspicuous impolicy of attempting to live from band to mouth. The question must be settled. Scotland and Wales he held, were equally entitled with Ireland to the right of autonomy. He paid a tribute of praise to the manly integrity displayed by Lord Hartington in the attitude he had assumed. In concluding, Mr Gladstone stated that the nation alone could settle the question. He was quite ready to abide the decision. It would be the height of his ambition to cheerfully devote the remainder of his active life in politics to this object. The manifesto which the Premier (Mr Gladstone) has issued to his constituents at Midlothian, on the subject of Irish Home Rule, is generally condemned. The Press, both in London and the Provinces, is unanimous in denouncing the manifesto as an appeal to the passioii and ignorance of the people. The scheme submitted by Mr Gladstone for the purchase of the estates of the Irish landlords is regarded as abandoned. Soma of the public journals predict that the outcome of the present situation will be the establishment of a broad scheme of Imperial Federation, May 5, A conference has been held of the National Liberal Association, at which 600 l delegates were present. The object of the meeting was to consider the policy propounded by Mr Gladstone on the question oi Irish Home Rule. A resolution was proposed demanding amendments in the BUI submitted by the Government, but •this was rejected, and a vote expressing the fullest confidence in Mr Gladstone was carried by a majority of 575. Considerable importance is attached to this declaration of approval, inasmuch as the Liberal Association, on its inception, was the creation of the Hon Joseph Chamberlain, who hasretired from the Cabinet on the ground that he could not- approve of Mr Gladstone's policy. May 10. The Premier, Mr Gladstone, this evening moved, in the House of Commons, the second reading of the measure embodying •Ms proposals on the question of Home Rule lot Ireland. Referring to the point vkether Irishrepresentatives should confine in the Imperial Parliament, he indicated that the scheme would be arranged pM provide that when subjects relating to therevenue derived from Ireland, or the ■question of C ustoms, were under considerajfelrish representatives should be allowed tafire part in tbe debate, and at other 4fcjmes when the Irish Parliament specially requested.- Mr Gladstone promised that if the Bill were taken into Committee, every workable suggestion should receive ample attention. Lord Hartington, a former colleague of Mr Gladstone, but who declined to join -him in the present Ministry on account of his Irish policy, movbd the rejection of *the BUI. The debate is proceeding, but it is not expected the division will take place for a fortnight. The changes in his proposals indicated by Mr Gladstone do not appeal - likely to give satisfaction to those who have seceded from his following over this question. They ridicule the form of concession he has hinted at on the subject of Irish representation in the Imperial Parliament. Mr Chamberlain expresses the opinion that the proposals of Mr Gladstone are an insult to the House of Commons. He boasts that ninety members of the Liberal party are pledged to oppose Mr Gladstone’s ischeme. The Pamellite party are ready to accept the modifications suggested by Mr Gladstone, and are generally satisfied with the measure as submitted. Michael Davitt, one of the Irish Nationalist leaders, threatens that if the measure be rejected such a year of terror shall rfollow in Ireland as the Orangemen have never dreamed of. May 11. The opinion of the London Press is unfavourable to the scheme. The Daily News, which has hitherto been a thick and thin supporter of Mr Gladstone, is luke-warm in its approval. The other journals are emphatic in their expressions of condemnation. [Reuter’s Telegrams.] PEeceived May 18. at 1.5 turo.l L .LONDON, Mat 17* It is expected that the debate on the Home Rule Bill will be sufficiently advanced to allow of a division being taken on Friday next.