THE PARNELL CASE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9116, 26 July 1888, Page 5

THE PARNELL CASE.

DISCUSSION IN THE COMMONS. ; ' [PRESS ASSOCIATION.] '

London, July 24.' In the House of Commons last night, Mr. W. H. Smith, on behalf of the Government, proposed that the Parnell Commission should consist of Sir James Hanmer, as president, with Justices Day, Archibald, and Smith. Mr. Parnell declared that the Go-, vernment were inquiring not only into his conduct, but also into the actions of members of the National League in Ireland, Great Britain, and .America. He believed that he would emerge from the inquiry untarnished. He said that the inquiry ought to be confined to specific charges against members' of Parliament, and should not include other persons. He objected to extending the scope of the inquiry, both on the ground of expense and because it would probably be prolonged for years. It was really intended as a means of discrediting the great Irish movement. The authenticity of the letters produced by the Times might be settled in a week, and this ought to be done before any other investigations were set on foot.

Mr. Gladstone urged that a select committee was the proper tribunal to conduct the inquiry. He insisted that only definite charges should be inquired into. The authenticity of the letters was the main charge. He doubted whether the Commission would command implicit confidence. Mr. Matthews said the anxiety shown to limit the scope of the Commission created the suspicion that Mr. Parnell desired to shirk inquiry. He held that the gravest charge was that a political party was in close alliance with the plotters of outrages. The omission of inquiring into the acts of other persons than members of Parliament would reduce the inquiry to a farce. Mr. Charles Russell said the proposed tribunal was an unfair one and would prove unworkable, while the inquiry would' be simply interminable. He would prefer a partisan London jury rather than the. proposed Commission. Mr. T. P. O'Connor said the Irish party refused to agree to an inquiry into the history of the National League. The debate was adjourned till next day. The Commission Bill was read a second time on the voices. Mr. Chamberlain declared his belief in Mr. Parnell's innocence, and suggested that the State should pay the costs of the successful party in the case.