THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. MONDAY, MAY 17, 1886.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7639, 17 May 1886, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. MONDAY, MAY 17, 1886.

The debate on the Home Rule B\\ seems to languish. This is apparently due to the fact that, with the exception of the Parneilites, there is an evident lack of enthusiasm on the part of ite supporters. The speeches wade in its favour are quite apologetic in their tone, and utterly fail to elicit sympathy, either in or out of the House. Consequent on this state of public feeling, there is a growing sense of h oplessness respecting its fate, and the conviction gains ground that there is no chance of its passing the second reading. In these circumstances the question of how best to get rid of it begins to be discussed. A recent telegram represents the Daily News, the only Liberal journal of note that supports the Bill, as advocating a compromise, and suggoHting that the second reading of the Bill should be allowed to pass en condition that it be immediately thereafter withdrawn, and be reproduced at a later date in an amended form. There is not much prospect of this being agreed to, however, as it implies an affirming of the principle of Home Rule, to which the majority in the House are opposed. A far more manly course would be that of withdrawing the measure altogether, on account of the wide-spread discontent with which it is regarded ; and this, as will be seen from this morning's cables, is what, at a meeting of Liberals and Radicals held on Friday last, both Lord Hartington and Mr. Chamberlain have urged upon the Government. These two leaders evidently wish to prevent the splitting up of the Liberal party, and have stated plainly the tactics the Government must adopt if they would avoid an overthrow. Whether Mr. Gladstone will act on their advice is quito another thing. The chances aro that he will not; and, if he has any idea of appealing to the constituencies, it is certain that he will not. In that case he will take all risks. If, however, an impression to that effect get abroad, the probabilities are that he will be defeated with a majority so decisive as to convince him of the uselessness of going with such a policy to the country. ' Nothing is more certain than that the opposition to the Irish proposals ia more

intense as well as more pervasive among | the general public than within the walls of Parliament; and, with the prospect of having soon to appear ' before their constituents present to their minds, many of those members who are at present undecided as to their ultimate coarse, will be sure to decide upon voting against the measure. Still, Mr. Gladstone, even if he should feel compelled to resigD instead of asking for a dissolution, may at this stage elect to press the question to a division. And the statement reported to have been made At a pravious meeting of Liberals, to the effect that it was useless to continue parleying with Mr. Gladstone respecting his Home Rule proposals, seems to strengthen the probability •Jiafc this will bo his line of action. Perhaps the only thing that would induce 'rim to make a virtue of necessity and withdraw the Bill, is the growing excice•nent which exists in Ulster over the Home Rule proposals, and the danger there ; s of this being fanned into open resistp.nco if his measure should pa 33. A few days ago the Times gave currency to 1 rumour that the Government meant to «xtend the Arms Act to Ulster, a3 a precaution agaiti3t a popular rising. But while this would indicate a determination on Mr. Gladstone's part, if possible, to jarry his measure, cost what it might, it mist, if true, also show that the Government are not without anxiety as to the ■■ mrse things in that quarter will take. Ir. Chamberlain, it appears, ha 3 published a letter in which he boldly espouses he cause of Ulster, maintaining that the ;eop!e there are entitled either to a iistinct autonomy, or to have their elations to the United Kingdom confined as they now are, and that failing )uth alternatives, they would bo justified 11 resisting the authority of the Parliament which Mr. Gladstone proposes establishing in Dublin. Th:3 is certainly 1 strong view to take of the possible -.ituation, and the fact that a man of such \bility and fearlessness openly advocates it must cau3e Mr. Gladstone to feel that 'he Ulster difficulty may become quite as •erious as that caused by the National .arty. Even Mr Gladstone cannot afford "o descise the probability of his getting >ut of the fryingpan into the tire ; and, ill the ground of an evident want of igreement in Ireland itself as to the •iiaracter of his proposals, he may consent •<> their withdrawal. Buc nothing else is likely to canse him to alter his purpose. Meanwhile the Conservatives are moving for a rejection of iho whole policy which Mr. Gladstone is attempting to carry ; and, at a meeting held by them, the Marquis of Salisbury boldly advocated he contiuaance of the coorcive policy as ;he only one that would restore a sense of •ecarity in Ireland.