MR. GLADSTONE AND SELF GOVERNMENT.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume X, Issue 510, 19 January 1883, Page 9

MR. GLADSTONE AND SELF GOVERNMENT.

We take the following passages from the speech on the cloture delivered by Mr. Gladstone on Wednesday, Bth November :—: —

I. would speak with frankness what has occurred to my mind respecting that portion of the Irish representatives who are accustomed to term themselves the Irish party. Among them it appears to me that it is possible to discern two currents of feeling. They are all of them Home Rulers (Irish cheers). There object is the establishment, in some way or another, of what they sometimes call a national, and sometimes an independent, or it may be a separate legislative assembly. Up to that point they are united, but let me make this frank admission. It has sometimes appeared to many of us that there was a portion of them at any rate who sought to attain their end by making the transaction of business in this House with them present in it impossible (Cheers. Mr. Parnell shook his head). Well, lam only describing the impression on my own mind. Unquestionably there are others — and it is our duty to believe that is the prevailing current of feeling — there are others who, believing it to be vital to the existence of their country that they Bhould attain their separate legislation, yet are extremely desirous to turn to the best account the machinery that exists, in order to supply, as best they can, the legislative wants of Ireland (hear, hear). I cannot doubt that, whatever may be the occasional or momentary feelings, upon the whole that desire exists. On what we are engaged, looking at the matter from that point of view, I venture to give my own opinion upon the) interests of Ireland. About the Irish vote I have no business and little inclination to speak, but I have had enough to do for many years with Irish affairs to be perhaps entitled to .give my opinion on the interests of Ireland without any undue arrogance. I submit this opinion, that a complete and effective system of rule for the impiovement of the conduct of the business of this House is essential for meeting the wants of Ireland (cheers). If there be no 1 ime for English and Scotch legislation, there will not be time for Irish legislation. The position in which we now stand is this, that a large majority of Enghbh and Scotch members are exerting themselves to the uttermost as representatives of the people for the purpose of enlarging the fund of time at the disposal of Parliament for the purposes ( f legislation. I \vi«h 1o a-k these Irish members whom I .^have desrribeU as anxious to turn to the be*.t account the legislative machinery of the House, what will be the effect on the interests of Ireland — wliht will be the effe' t on the claim of Ireland to a large allowance of time for Irish purposes from that limited fund at the" disposal of the House, if, while England and Scotland have striven and dune their utmost to ii crease that fund, the members from Ireland, and those who call Iheiusi lyes especially the members for Ireland, are to do their utmost lo diminish and contract it (cheers). That is toy view of the interests of Ireland. It appears to me that Ireland— not only equall with England and Scotland, but more than England and Scotland— should have occasion and necessity for the best arrangement of business in this House, in order that her demands may be freely considered and intelligibly met (hear, hear). Was the lion, gentleman in jrst when he said — " Why don't you take advantage of this opportunity to advance the powers of local selfgoveinmer tin Ireland ?" There is not a subject I could name on which I perhaps feel a more profound anxiety than for the establisbmeut^of .local self-government in Ireland (hear, hear)— aye and local eelf-goTernmeut upon a liberal ana effective basis (hear, hear) ; but

it.is mockery of the hon. gentleman to come to me and say, " Establish local self-government in Ireland "—a great and difficult subject — and at the same time say — " By my vote, my speech, and my influence, I will do all I can to narrow the time during which and by means of which alone you can effect local self-government or any other legislative measure " (loud cheeers). It appears to me that the general question is capable of being brought to an issue more satisfactory than prophetical dispute and discussion.