§ MR. CALLANI have to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland a Question of which I have not had the opportunity of giving him Notice, and it is, Whether he will inform the House as to the exactness of the statement which have appeared in the public Press, or the correctness of a telegram received by many hon. Members of this House last night—namely, that a strike of police has commenced in Limerick, and is extending to an alarming extent over many other parts of Ireland; and, whether the official information the right hon. Gentleman has on the subject shows that this alarming movement is owing to the arbitrary and despotic conduct of Mr. Clifford Lloyd?
§ Mr. TREVELYANSir, this is a sort of Question of which I should desire to have had Notice, even though it was only a few minutes; but for certain reasons, I am desirous now of saying a word about the matter without Notice. The reports in the newspapers have been extraordinarily exaggerated, and that from causes which, I think we may guess, lie outside the Police Force altogether. In saying that, I do not wish to be under- 755 stood as casting any imputation upon the hon. Member opposite (Mr. Callan); but telegrams have been received by a distinguished Member on the other side, by the rime Minister, and I myself received a telegram last evening, which, I believe, is word for word the same as that received by the right hon. Gentleman on the Opposition side of the House. This telegram placed the case in the most alarming colours, and when I received it I must own it filled me with considerable apprehension; but on looking to see from what quarter it came, appearances were altered, for I found that there was no name, but simply the initials, "R. I.C.," which I take evidently to mean the Royal Irish Constabulary. I may say that I have had very minute and accurate accounts of what is passing and what has passed sent to me, and especially during the last three or four days; and from these I am able to say that hitherto nothing has occurred but what is consistent with the good order and discipline of a most loyal Force, as I believe this to be. The Force is in the very best order; and there is no more loyal Force of Constabulary in the Kingdom. I am in possession of letters from all persons concerned—from the Lord Lieutenant, the Under Secretary, and the Inspector General of the Police, which make me quite satisfied that the affair is being dealt with in a manner which authorizes me to say that the authorities are worthy to command a Force of this kind.
§ MR. CALLANI received last night from the "R. I. C," that is, the R.I.C. of Cork City—["Order, order!"] To put myself in Order, I will conclude with a Motion. ["Order, order!"]
§ MR. SPEAKERThe hon. Member cannot debate this matter. Any Question he desires to put on the same subject, the hon. Member is entitled to ask.
§ MR. CALLANI will read the telegram, and ask a Question, and, if necessary, I will conclude with a Motion. Late last night I received a telegram, and, no doubt, the reason that the sender's name is not given—
§ MR. SPEAKERThe hon. Member cannot debate this matter.
§ MR. CALLANI will conclude with a Motion for the Adjournment of the House, and give the reasons why I do so. Last night I received a telegram from Cork City, stating that the men of that city and county would meet to-day, 756 and were resolved to a man to demand an increase of pay and equalization of pensions, and that a Memorial to that effect was being sent in to the Government. I have also received a letter from the county of Louth, and others from Meath, fully bearing out the information which has been conveyed; and, without any disrespect to the right hon. Gentleman the Chief Secretary for Ireland, I may tell him that the members of the R. I. C. would much rather trust me with their names and complaints than they would him. If they had sent their names to the telegraph office, these names would have been immediately placed before the Inspector General, who would reduce and punish them for complaining to a Member of this House. Therefore, they would sooner trust me. I will show the right hon. Gentleman the letters, without the names, and in private, if he desires it, with the view of verifying what I state. It is a fact that this movement is extending, and has extended; and whether it is true or false, I know not, but the main cause alleged is the arbitrary conduct of these extraordinary Resident Magistrates, who order them about throughout the country, for which they receive no compensation or extra pay of any kind. I see the Secretary of State for the Home Department is suggesting some matter to the Chief Secretary for Ireland. ["Order, order!"]
§ MR. SPEAKERThe hon. Member, I am bound to say, is quite out of Order in the observation he has now made. In the Orders of the Day there is a Bill relating to the pay of the Royal Irish Constabulary, and it is out of Order to anticipate the discussion of it.
§ MR. CALLANI do not. ["Order!"]
§ MR. SPEAKERThe hon. Member cannot proceed.
§ MR. CALLANYou order—["Order, order!"]
§ MR. SPEAKERI have already warned the hon. Member that he cannot proceed with the matter.
§ MR. CALLANI do not intend to proceed; I only wish to refer to the arbitrary conduct of the magistrates —["Order, order!"]
§ Mr. SPEAKERcalled upon Mr. O'SHEA.