THE IRISH CRIMES BILL.

Northern Advocate, 9 April 1887, Page 3

THE IRISH CRIMES BILL.

THE CLOTUEE APPLIED. A DRAMATIC SCENE. , MEETINGS OP UNIONISTS AND TOBIES. London, April 2. In the house of Commons to-day consideration of the motion for the first reading of the Irish Crimes Bill was resumed, when an animated debate took place on Mr Parnell's countermotion that the House should forthwith go into committee to consider the state of Ireland. The discussion continued for some hours, and Mr Smith finally moved, under the cloture rules, that the question be now put. The motion was adopted by 361 to 253 votes, whereupon Mr Gladstone, with the whole Radical- section and the Parnellites, left the House in a a body. The Bill, was then read a first time without opposition. London, March 31. An important and numerously attended meeting of the Liberal Unionists was held to-day under the preisdency of the Marquis of Hartinton. The meeting was most enthusiastic. The Marquis of Hartington explained that the Government had made the coercion measures a question of confidence between themselves and the Unionists, and the Government depended upon the Bill passing. He warned those present that unless the Unionists supported the Crimes Bill Mr Gladstone would secure the defeat of the Government and resume the direction of affairs. The Marquis of Hartington contended that it was imperative that the result should be to prevent this. The meeting unanimously decided to support the second reading, but some of the members reserved to themselves the liberty of moving amendments when the Bill is in committee. An ennhusiastic meeting of Conservatives was held in connection with the Crimes Bill, and Mr W. H.*Smith occupied the chair, the gathering taking place in the Foreign Office. Mr Smith explained the vital necessity of hastening the passage of the coercion measures, and the meeting resolved to sacrifice the Easter holidays to secure the second reading of the Bill.