MR PARNELL AND THE TIMES. (Per Press Association.) London, August 8.

Otago Witness, Issue 1917, 17 August 1888, Page 9

MR PARNELL AND THE TIMES. (Per Press Association.) London, August 8.

In the House of Commons to-day Mr ParnelFs amendment to the Commission Bill, 1 making it a penal offence for witnesses to observe reticence at the inquiry, was withdrawn on the Government assuring the House that witnesses would be compelled to disclose all the information they possessed. A motion by Mr Labouchere to exclude The Times from the provisions of indemnity clauses if the charges were proved to be libels was defeated. The commission were authorised to make progress reports. In the House of Commons to-day, on themotion to report the Parnell Commission Bill, the new clause proposed by Home Secretary Matthews was inserted providing for the arrest and punishment of any witness who neglects to attend in answer to a summons or refuses to give evidence. Several Parnellite proposals, with the object of limiting the inquiry, were rejected. The debate has been adjourned. August 10. The Parnell Commission Bill has been read a third time on a division by 180 to 64. Mr A. Sexton and several other Irish members abstained from voting. In the House of Lords the Appointing Commission Bill to inquire into the Times charges against Mr Parnell has been read a first time, and the Local Government Bill has been read a third time. The Imperial Defences Bill has been read a second time in the House of Commons. August 11. In the House of Lords, in speaking on the second reading of the Commission Bill, the Marquis of Salisbury said the only object the Government had in appointing the commission was to elicit the truth as to the charges made. Lord Herschel and Earl Granville opposed the bill, and Earl Carnarvon and Earl Derby supported it. The bill passed its final stage.