THE HOME RULE BILL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2059, 10 August 1893, Page 16

THE HOME RULE BILL.

(Per Press Association.) London, August 2. Mr Gladstone, in a letter to bis constituents, justifies the retention of the Irish, members at Westminster, and says that it ia ridiculous to suppose that they can control the decision of the House upon English, questions. When the bill is reported from Committee the Unionists intend to move all the amendtments that were shut out by tbe enforcement of tbe closure. Mr William Henry Greenfell, M.P. foi Hereford, has resigned his seat in the House of Commons. He was strongly opposed to the retention of Irish members at Westminster and to the closing of the Indian mints for tbe coinage of silver. Auguit 6. The Conservatives wUI propose 44 new clauses when the Home Rale Bill is reported irom Committee. Twenty thousand people attended a meeting at Liverpool, and passed resolutions protesting against tbe Government permitting Irish members to dominate the House of Commons and stifle debate on tbe Home .Rule Bill. August 7. Owing to the absence of a number of Conservative members, among whom was Mr Balfour, many new clauses which they had intended to move upon the Home Rule Bill being reported in the House of Commons were struck out. Mr G. Bartley wanted to move them on behalf of the absentees, but the Speaker declined to allow him. August 8. Mr Parker Smith, M.P. for Patrick, moved to appoint a commission to rearrange the Irish electorates.— Negatived by 44. Mr 1 T. W. Russell, M.P. for Tyrone, said the Government proposals were the worst kind of jerry-mandering. Mr Gladstone replied that they were really based on population. Mr Tim Healy contended Unionists would really obtain more than the number of members they were entitled to. Mr J. Morley said the Government were willing to allow single electorates if they were demanded. In the House of Commons three new clauses were rejected in one division. Messrs Rathbone and M'lrmes voted against the ; Government. There was much excitement -when the Speaker refused to allow clauses to be moved in the absence of members who hWI given notice. Mr Balfour did not move hfe amendment, having arranged to discuss it upon a similar motion by Mr M'Oartney. Tbe Ulster defence fund has reached a-quarter of a million.