§ MR. HEALYasked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, Whether he is aware that the managing body of the Cork 1859 Butter Market assume to themselves the lower of summoning people before them to answer charges; whether they summon and examine witnesses in support of those charges; whether they impose and levy heavy fines on members of the public dealing in the market, under threat of preventing them from further dealing therein if such fines be not paid; whether no one can deal in the market unless he signs certain penal conditions; whether their meetings are held with closed doors, with both the public and the press excluded; whether such acts constitute the holding of an illegal court for the purpose of intimidating Her Majesty's subjects; whether the Solicitor General for Ireland was for many years Law adviser to this body; whether several members of that body are magistrates; and, whether the Government will take menus to put a stop to such practices?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENRAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. LAW)I have made inquiries into this matter, and I am able to answer the hon. Member that the managing body of the Cork Butter Market do not assume to themselves the power of summoning people before them to answer charges. Members of the butter trade who have voluntarily joined the association called the Committee of Merchants, and subscribed to certain rules framed for the purpose of protecting the integrity of the butter brands, and preventing frauds with regard to them, and who have bound themselves to submit to penalties for the infringement of those rules, are required to attend before the Committee in case any charges of infringement are preferred against them. They do not summon witnesses; but any persons voluntarily attending to support or refute such charges are heard. They do not impose fines on members of the public dealing in the market. The market is open to the public; but only persons who subscribe to the rules of the Committee of Merchants have the benefit of their brands. I believe that the meetings of the Committee are private. The acts of the Committee do not constitute the holding of an illegal court. I understand that my hon. and learned Friend the Solicitor General for Ireland has been for some years counsel for the Committee. I am informed that several members of the Committee are magistrates. The Members for the City of 1860 Cork are as such members of the Committee. I see no reason for any interference on the part of the Government.