IRISH AFFAIRS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1578, 7 May 1887, Page 2

IRISH AFFAIRS.

London, May 3. In the House of Commons last night, the Irish Crimes Bill came up for consideration in Committee of the whole House. Mr Mealey moved an amend* mpnt on the first clause. After a protracted debate it became necessary for the cloture to be applied, when the amendment was rejected by a large majority, despite the support of Mr Glad, stone and his followers, It is calculated that the discussion of tha first clause of the Bill will last fully three weeks, as notice has been givon of countless amendments. May 4. In tbe Commons last night an exciting debate took plaae on the motion by Mr Charlfß Lewis, Member for Londonderry, that certain articles published in the Tim's charging Mr Dillon, Member for East Mayo, with falsehood when he denied connection with the Fenian Sheridan, were a breach of privilege. The Irish M-mbers and the supporters of Mr Gladi Hone wished an immediate decision 10 be com) to, but on the motion of Mr Smith an adjournment of tbe discussion until to-day was adopted by a mijority of thirty-nine. The debate at times was most excited. In the House os Commons to-day the adjourned debate ou the motirn of Mr L'-wis, declaring that certain articles in The Times, charging Mr Dillon with falsehood, were a breach of the privileges of tbfl Houec, was resumed. Mr Smith, First Lord of the Treasury, stated that he did not consider a breach of privilege had been committed. He proposed that tbe Attorney-General, with a Queen's Counsel from the Parnellite section of the House, should prosecute the Times for its statement. Mr Dillon declined the proposal, and demanded that the question should be referred to a Select Committee of the House. The debate was finally adjourned till to morrow. May 5, Mr Gladstone gave notice of a motion to refer the charges made against Messrs Parnell and Dillon to a Committee of Inquiry. Lord Randolph Churchill held that such a Committee would prove helplessly incompetent to elicit the truth. He warned the House that they would infallibly be worsted in any encounter with the Press.