§ MR. PARNELLasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he has seen a report in the "Cork Examiner" of June 6th of a conversation alleged to have taken place between Mr. Nash and Mr. Goddard, during the recent eviction expedition at New Pallas, in which Mr. Goddard stated that he had come there at the request of Mr. Forster; and, whether this statement of Mr. Goddard is well founded?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERSir, I had not seen the report to which the hon. Member refers until this morning; but I may state that it is not true that Mr. Goddard went down to New Pallas at my request. I was aware of his going down, and—though I do not know that my opinion had much to do with it—I certainly did not disapprove of his going down. I am prepared to give my reason for that view if the House wishes it. In consequence of intimidation, none of the bailiffs of the district could be found to point out the houses where the evictions were to be carried into effect; and, in one or two cases previously, the police had been asked to supply that information. I had a strong opinion that it was not the business of the police to do that work; and I directed that no instructions ought to be given to them to that effect. On the other hand, it would, I think, have been most deplorable if intimidation had been successful in its 471 object. The landlord in question informed me that he was about to take two bailiffs down to the district, who were prepared to face the dangers before them, and I thought he was quite right in doing so.