Mr Gladstone's Irish Reform Scheme.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1819, 12 April 1886, Page 2

Mr Gladstone's Irish Reform Scheme.

STARTLING PROPOSALS. London, April 9. Mr Gladstone made his promised statement as to the Government scheme for the better government of Ireland to the House of Commons. Details with regard to Mr Gladstone’s Irish statement shew that the description of the proposed Irish Lsaislature as consisting of a House of Lords and a House of Commons was inaccurate. The proposal is that the Parliament shall consist of two orders sitting together but voting separately if required. Each order to possess the power of veto. The first order to comprise 29 Peers plus 75 members to be elected under a property qualification. The second order to include the present Irish members of the House of Commons plus 101 members to be elected under the existing Parliamentary franchise. The projected Parliament to be incapable of establishing any form of State religion or of dealing with the Imperial army and navy, or the foreign and colonial relations of England. The Viceroy to hold office lor a term of one year. The Royal Itish Constabulary to remain under the control of the Imperial authorities, and Ireland to contribute one fifteenth to the charges of the Empire. Mr Gladstone, iu delivering his Irish statement, occupied the floor of the House for three and a-half hours, his speech being the finest he has ever made. The statement was very coldly received by the House, excepting the Farnellite section. Mr Gladstone admitted that the Irish Parliament would eventually control the police. Mi Trevelyan advocated the establishment of a Central Government to restore order, and to allow local bodies to have the control of educational- matters and to develop local resources.

Mr Parnell disagreed with Mr Gladstone’s proposal that the Imperial Parliament should control the Irish Customs, and also said it was unfair for Ireland to pay for the maintenance of her police if she was not permitted to have control of them. He also considered the amount to be contributed to the Imperial Exchequer too large The Bight Hon D. B. Plunkett, member for Dublin University, said he felt certain that if these proposals were adopted separation would ensue.

The member representing Ulster constituencies gave bints that they would not obey au Irish Parliament. The metropolitan press generally condemn the proposals as tending to the disruption of the Empire and the conversion of Ireland to the status of a colony. The Daily News is the only journal that expresses approval. The Daily Telegraph says it is the greatest revolution ever proposed by English Ministers. The debate is to be resumed on Monday.