THE IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XX, Issue 1429, 15 February 1888, Page 2

THE IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

The Imperial Parliament has commenced another session. Everything points to a term of unparalleled activity ; and it is not too much to expect that the session will be one of the most interesting and eventful of recent years. Ab might have been anticipated, the Irish Question is again in the forefront ; and there it is likely to remain until the national demands of the Irish people are definitely and satisfactorily settled. For many years the Irish Nemesis has dogged the footsteps of successive governments— Conservative and Liberal, Tory and Whig; and each and every one has gone down before it. In Mr Gladstone's now famous apothegm, Ireland blocks the way,the position is strikingly defined; and until her demands are disposed of, and her representatives are removed from Westminster, the business of the country must remain at a standstill. ,The European situation promises to engage the attention of the .Home Government for some time to come ; and with a crisis at hand it is to be regretted that Parliament should be hampered with complications at Home. Mr Parnell has already given notice of a bill to amend the Irish Land Act, providing for the reduction of the term of judicial tenancies to seven years; and Sir Charles Sussell, has given notice of an amendment to the Address- in -Reply, asking that an enquiry be held into the action of the Government in interfering with meetings in Trafalgar Square. We are told that Mr Parnell's amendment attacks the administration of the Crimes Act in Ireland ; and it may be expected that the debate on this

subject will be most lively and interesting. A large number of the Irish members are now in gaol under the Coercion Act of last session, and a very strong feeling prevails throughout England as to their treatment in one or two cases. Mr Gladstone has made a speech of studied moderation, in which he deprecated any party rivalry in regard to the foreign policy of the Government.