HC Deb 27 November 1882 vol 275 cc112-3
MR. TOTTENHAM

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If his attention has been called to the Report of a meeting at Cork, reported in the "Cork Constitution" of 22nd instant, and to the speech of Mr. W. Redmond, who is reported to have said, inter alia— The teaching of the Land League was, that, if any man was untrue to the cause, he should be Boycotted. Now, he said to them, if there was a farmer present, he advised him that, reduction or no reduction, he should not part one cent of rent until he saw that himself and his family had all that was necessary for them. Consequently, he advised those present, and those who his words might reach, to use moderately and wisely the expedient weapon of Boycotting towards every man who betrays the National cause: He, as a Nationalist, yearned to see Ireland a free Nation, untrammelled by any shadow of British Law, but he would say to them that no League would do that; it could only be accomplished by the swords and united arms of the Irish people; It was the duty of every man, not only in rebel Cork but in Ireland, to prepare for that revolution; whether he has taken any steps to verify the Report in question; and, if correct, in what manner the seventh section of the Crimes Prevention Act bears upon Mr. Redmond's action; and, what steps Her Majesty's Government propose to take; and, whether this is the same person who was lately confined as a suspect?

MR. REDMOND

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers the Question, I would like to ask him on the same subject whether he is aware that the paper in which this report appeared is the recognized organ of the Orange Party in the South of Ireland; whether, in considering the subject of this Question, he has had before him a full report, and not maliciously garbled extracts of the speech referred to; and whether the general purport of that speech was not to dissuade the people from any breach of the existing law, and from any departure from the lines of Constitutional agitation?

MR. TOTTENHAM

I should like also to supplement my Question, Sir, by asking whether the hon. Member was not present himself at that meeting?

MR. REDMOND

I was present, and that is the reason why I added the Question. ["Order!"] My presence proved to me the inaccuracy of the quotation. [Cries of "Order!"]

MR. TREVELYAN

Sir, the attention of the Government has been directed to the speech referred to in this Question, and it is at present under consideration. The Government has the report of more than one paper before it.