HC Deb 25 March 1879 vol 244 cc1697-8
MR. SULLIVAN

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, If his attention has been called to a report in the "Downpatrick Recorder" of the 14th instant, of a public address by Her Majesty's Commissioner of Irish Fisheries, delivered by him in a neighbourhood often and recently the scene of religious strife and party riots, in which that official refers to recent proceedings in the following terms:— One thing that has commended itself to me in this society is that it has never failed to urge a warfare, on the whole triumphant against the great enemy we have to contend with in this country, the errors of the apostate Church of Rome. I have been taken to task for venturing to say that we would not in Lister as Protestants endure the endowment of a Roman Catholic University, which would falsify history, which would pervert philosophy, and which would give false views of science. I do not desire to give offence; but, if Protestants are to be prevented from speaking the truth because they happen to be civil servants of the Crown, the time has come when Protestants must lift up their voices, and protest against attempts to silence them for any pretext whatever; and, what action, if any at all, the Government propose to take under these circumstances in reference to this functionary?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

Sir, the Question of the hon. and learned Gentleman raises some important and delicate points with reference to the relations between the Government and gentlemen who are permanent members of the Civil Service. I think, as a general principle, we must hold that the Government ought to interfere as little as possible with that freedom of speech which Englishmen enjoy. On the other hand, I think it is also clear that gentlemen who have accepted permanent offices under the Crown ought to be very cautious how they use language which is of a character to embarrass the Government they serve. If they speak in their official capacity, of course their reserve ought to be very strict. Some different rule, of course, would apply when a gentleman speaks in his private capacity and at a meeting which is of a distinctly non-political or religious character. But sometimes one cannot help feeling that it is difficult to draw the line between religious and political discussion. With regard to the particular case to which attention is drawn, I certainly regret that Mr. Johnston should have used the language which he did on the occasion of the address to the Orange meeting at Belfast; and I regret still more that he should—as is apparent from his remarks at the missionary meeting—have misunderstood the caution which, in a kindly spirit, was given to him on the part of the Government. But as it seems he has misunderstood it, it has been repeated to him more distinctly, and I think that is all the circumstances justify.