THE HOME ELECTIONS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVIII, Issue 12, 16 July 1886, Page 15

THE HOME ELECTIONS.

§HE final result of these elections is not yet known. Indeed, some of the contests have not been decided as yet. It appears, however, that the pledged supporters of Mr. Gladstone are in a minority. It does not follow from this that a Tory Government must necessarily succeed that great statesman, or that, should it do so, it will be possible for it to hold office "very long. The . probabilities ate that another general election must be held ' before the expiration of the next twelve months. If, how- . ever, the telegrams are to be believed, the Conservatives and > Hartingtonites are determined to suppress the Land League. ) This is a thing more easily said than done, and any attempt ' to suppress the only organisation in the Empire able and willing > to stand between the people of Ireland and oppression, between ; the evicted and starvation and degradation, cannot be put ) down without a violent struggle, ariti one that will convulse 1 the House of Commons. But certainly if the Conservatives, [ supported by Hartington, succeed to power, such an attempt i will be made. Of this we entertain no doubt whatever. But > we are equally certain that it will not be successful. True, 1 an Act of Parliament to this effect may be passed after months of violent efforts and tyrannical contempt of the i rights of free speech ; but what then ? Can even the most » stupid Tory expect that this will either break or even * le-sen the determination of the people of Ireland to ' have Home Rule ? It will be found, we may be certain, ) that after a fight which must result in the defeat ; of the persecuting Government, and an inevitable appeal > to the people, the Home Rule party will come back to the House of Commons more powerful than ever. , In fact, this attempt of the Conservatives and the upholders I of class domination, will be of the greatest possible service > to tho National cause. But is it so certain, after all, that the Conservatives are to come into office ? Judging from the re- > turns as telegraphed to us, we find that this party is a ) minority of the whole House of Commons, and that unless ' they make terms with one or other of the sections of the J Liberals, it is impossible for them to hold office for an hour. > The Unionists may support them so far us the denial of ) Home Rule is concerned, but that is all, we think, that is likely. ) As to coalition between Salisbury and Hartington in the formation of a coalition Government, the thing is absurd,

unless indeed on the supposition that Hartington is prepared to abandon his political career and extinguish himself. Neither can the screw-maker of Birmingham join in a Tory Government, for the same reason. A Conservative Government should then be every moment at the mercy of the party -which once supported Mr. Gladsto ne. and the Home Rulers. We think, therefore, that a Conservative Government is not likely to have a long career, and no other Government is at present possible. Confusion is inevitable, and another appeal to the constituencies before many months. Meantime, the friends of Home Rule in both hemispheres will do well to organise still better, so as to afford all possible moral and pecuniary aid to Mr. Parnell and his party.