THE MYSTERIOUS CHEQUES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11040, 18 April 1899, Page 6

THE MYSTERIOUS CHEQUES.

I Is an article entitled, "The Reminiscences of a Professional Politician," in the New Century, the writer says; -Revelations were made by a Parnellite evening paper that, cheques had been paid by Mr. Gladstone and Lord Tweedmouth, and other (iladstonian Liberals, to the Irish Parliamentary fund. A great sensation was caused by these revelations, and it was confidently expected, at the reassembling of Parliament in 1895, that one of the' first motions made in the new session—probably the very first—would he one by Lord Woirner, to have the vole of censure erased from the journals of the House, in view of the fads which had become public. But the mi lion was not made, although the evidence was overwhelming in vindication of Lord Wolmer's position. Lord Selboume, Sir Henry (now Lord) James, Mr. Chamberlain, and Lord Wolmer had several conferences on the subject, and the upshot was that it was resolved not to raise the question in the House, but rather trust to the perspicacity of the public, which would bo able by this time to ii|«preci:ito Mr. Sexton's impassioned denial of pecuniary indebtedness at its true value. The Irish members, of course, when they saw what an impression was being made on the public, Hi ciliated a statement that all cheques rereived from English Liberals had been returned. A circumstantial statement, was made to this effect by the treasurer of the fund, but it could easily have been blown tn pieces by tho evidence which Lord Wolmer held in his possession. ... I had something to do with the collection of that evidence, and I should like to tell one rather amusing incident which occurred in connection therewith . . . It sronied a natural supposition, after the Ciladstoi.eTwcedmouth revelations, that a good many of these contributions, if not all of tin in, were fiom English Liberals. By | the merest 01111110, I happened to learn that two at least were of this description. and I was rather curious to know whether ' these two cheques had been sent back by Mr. .1. F. X. OT.rien. or whether it was : only the cheques over which the storm had ; ben raided that were sent back. I thought '' the most direct plan was the simplest, so I I went straight to one of the gontlemen to ask. When I called, the gentleman in question was out in his garden with some visitors, and when mv card was taken to him he sent bark word with the footman to know my business, as he did not recognise iny name. As I did not wish to inform the footman of the nature of mv business, I simply said that it was private, but if Mr. was engaged, the matter could wait, and I would rail another time. Upon which the gentleman sent a message, a perfectly polite message, and quite proper under the circumstances, that Mr. never saw anybody at his residence on business, unless he knew the nature of their errand. I took my departure, feeling that I had undertaken a longish journey for nothing, bin still not blaming the gentleman in the very least for declining to leave his guests and come to me. Imagine my pleased surprise, therefore, when, an hour or two afterwards, as I was on the platform at the nearest station waiting for a train, 11 gentleman came up and asked if I was the visitor who had called at his house in the afternoon. When I replied that I was, he said," Then is there anything I can do for you '! I am quite at your service, although the time is short, for the signal is down for your train," "Well, I just wished to ask you a single question, but you don't need to answer it unless yon like, for I must premise that what you tell mo may be published in the newspapers." "Well, what is it '! You inspire my curiosity, I will answer, if it is nothing very incriminating." "Oh, just this. I understand that you subscribed to the Irish Parliamentary fund some time ago. Have you had your contribution returned ?" He laughed heartily, "Well, that is a straight question, and it will have a straight answer No, I have not. I saw an announcement in the papers that all English cheques had been returned, but that was some weeks ago, and I have not got mine yet; and, what is more (naming a friend of his), told me that he had not received his either. I am going to make inquiries." Here the train came in, and I had just time to say good-bye and to thank him heartily for his courtesy, when we steamed away out of the station. I expect that he and a good many others are inquiring for their cheques still. There was one little cheque which was paid to the Irish party, of which the inner history has still to be written. 1 refer to the famous £10,000 cheque handed by Mr. Cecil Rhodes to Mr. Parnoll. A fellowdirector in the British South Africa Company, who was also a strong Liberal Unionist, said to the generous donor :—" wonder at a pronounced Imperialist like you, Mr. Rhodes, giving financial assistance to a body of men whose chief desire is to belittle, and, if possible, break up the Empire." "Oh, that is all right," said Mr. Rhodes with a smile, which was equivalent to a wink, " we can never tell, my friend, when 80 votes in the House of Commons may be of use to us !"