IRELAND. • • ' • 4

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8248, 22 February 1905, Page 1

IRELAND. • • ' • 4

THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY. AN ANIMATED DEBATE. _ a t REPORTED RESIGNATION OF THE VICEROY. United Press 'Association— By ESectric , Telegraph — Copyrcg-hij. LONDON, February 21. In the House of Commons, there was an animated debate on Mr Redmond's Home Rule amendment to the 'Address-in-Reply. The Nationalists censured Mr Wyndham for throwing Sir Anthony Macdonnell, Under-Secretary for Ireland, , over. Mr Moore charged the Government '< with coquetting with Home Rule, and being participators in negotiations with conspirators. The Government's treatment of Sir Anthony Macdonnell was infamous. Irish Unionists were unable to vote confidence in the present Irish administration, and appealed to the Government to 'get rid of the rotten, sickening policy of conciliation. • Mr Wyndham, in a passionate reply, declared: "Sir Anthony Macdonnell, after distinguished service in India, was appointed rather as a colleague than a subordinate, and was authorised to confer with Lord Dunraven, who,, at the beginning of 1903, intimated that Be was in favour of a Moderate Unionist Party, but neither then nor afterwards did I say or write a word in favour of a semi-elective financial board or delegation of powers. My letters to Sir Anthony Macdonnell at the outset show that they intended to deal inter , alia with the co-ordination and control of detached boards,' which will never suggest to me the idea of introducing an elective board. My colossal ignorance of. Indian administration is one reason for misunderstanding , Sir Anthony Macdonnell' 8 intentions, but the moment I saw the Reform Association's proposals I repudiated them. I was not aware then 'that Sir Anthony Macdonnell had helped to frame them. Sir Anthony Macdonnell informed Earl Dudley of the nature of the proposals

in the belief that I was not hostile to their public discussion." He desired to cast no reflection on the integrity of Sir Anthony Macdonnell's career, which was unblemished. Asked whether the censure extended to the Viceroy, Mr Wyndham replied that the motion was a censure of the Cabinet. He was not aware that the Viceroy had participated in Sir Anthony Macdonnell's action. The debate was adjourned. The "Times" states that it is understood that Earl Dudley, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, has resigned. Sir Anthony Macdonnell's early retirement is generally expected. (A cable message received a few days ago stated that many questions are being asked in Parliament respecting the administration of Sir Anthony Macdonnell as Under-Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. Sir Anthony is accused of favouring the Nationalists. Mr George Wyndham, Chief Secretary for Ireland, stated that the Government had infornied Sir Anthony Macdonnell that his assistance to Lord D'unraven in preparing his devolution scheme was indefensible. Sir Anthony Macdonnell subsequently dissociated, himself from' Lord Dunraveii".) ""