THE EARL OF KIMBERLEYpresented a petition from the Mayor and Corporation of Dublin in favour of the purchase and management of the Irish railways by the Government, and said that the subject had already been brought under the notice of the Government by a deputation which had been received by the noble Earl at the head of the Government and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and which had been assured by them that the subject should receive the special attention of the Government. He (the Earl of Kimberley) considered the subject a very important one, and one well deserving the attention of Her Majesty' Government, but at the same time there were manifest objections to the proposed scheme. On the one hand, it might be urged that if the Irish railways were placed under the Government inspection the system of working would be improved in a manner suited to the requirements of the country; and in case of mismanagement questions might be asked in Parliament. But, on the other hand, it might be argued that to place the railways under the supervision of Government, would place a large amount of patronage in their hands, would relieve the Directors from all responsibility, and lead to a lax system of management, No doubt that was a fair objection to urge, but still the condition of the Irish railways was such that they were deserving the careful consideration of the Government, and he had no doubt that if they were placed under the control of the Government the system of construction and travelling in that country would be placed in a more satisfactory condition.
§ THE EARL OF DERBYadmitted that the question was one of the utmost importance to Ireland, and at the same time that it was one of very great difficulty. There were objections to the interference of the Government, in any form, and he did not see how they were to be got over. He had felt it to be his duty, on the part of the Government, and in conjunction with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to receive a deputation composed of noblemen and gentlemen connected with Ireland, who brought before him the whole subject in a very able and temperate manner. He had suggested to the deputation to form a small committee of their own, consisting of persons connected with the railway interest, and had offered to appoint a small committee of the Cabinet and one or two gentlemen of special practical experience to take into consideration any definite proposals that might be made. It would be a source of great gratification if they could see their way to a solution of the question which should be safe to the Government, and satisfactory as regarded all others concerned.
THE EARL OF CLANCARTYexpressed his satisfaction with what had been said by the Earl of Derby, and remarked that railways ought to be treated as the Queen's highway, and managed for the convenience of the public, rather than that of a locality.