MR PARNELL AND THE TIMES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9111, 20 July 1888, Page 5

MR PARNELL AND THE TIMES.

[PRESS ASSOCIATION. J

London, July 12. The Hon. W. H. Smith has offered to nominate a commission, mainly composed of judges, to hear the charges of the Times against Mr. Parnell. Parnell is likely to claim an inquiry limited to the authenticity of the letter, but the Times insists that the whole of the charges shall be included.

London, July 12. The Duke of Argyle's motion in the House of Lords that the Government policy in Ireland deserved support, has been carried without discussion. London, July 11. Mr. Parnell, in speaking on the first reading of the Bill providing for the appointment of a Commission to inquire into the charges against him, said it was monstrous to expect him to accept the measure until it had been explained. If Government believed the charges, they ought to insist on an inquiry being held, instead of bargaining with the accused. He objected to accept a tribunal without knowing the judges, and he asked why he should trust a Government whom he alleged were accomplices of those who had published these foul libels. He absolutely declined to make a bargain beforehand. Mr. Smith replied that the Government were still convinced that the proper tribunal to hear the charges was a Court of Justice, but the House would be afforded an opportunity of fully discussing the Bill, the second reading of which would be set down for Monday. London, July 14. Mr. W. H. Smith proposes that the commission to inquire into the Times charges against Mr. Parnell shall possess power to compel the disclosure of facts, the production of any necessary documents, and also to grant certificates protecting witnesses. Counsel will be allowed to appear. The Times approves of the appointment of a special committee to inquire into the charges it made against Parnell.