HC Deb 26 February 1883 vol 276 cc828-9
BARON HENRY DE WORMS

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether, in view of his recent statement that it is supposed by some that by changes in the system of local self-government we can restore contentment to the Country. It would be madness, in my opinion, to give Ireland more extended self-government, unless we can receive from the Irish people some assurance that this boon would not be used for the purpose of agitation, the Government have abandoned the idea of introducing a measure for local self-government in Ireland, or whether the statement made in a recent speech by the President of the Board of Trade, that as long as Ireland is without any institution of local government worthy of the name, so long the seeds of discontent and disloyalty will remain, only to burst forth into luxuriant growth at a favourable season, more accurately expresses the view entertained by Her Majesty's Government, and that it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to introduce such a measure; and, if so, when?

THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON

The hon. Member has given only a short extract from the speech of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade. The passage in my right hon. Friend's speech to which he refers is, I think, the following:— According to all precedent, we may now expect a breathing space, and for a considerable time at least we may look for peace and quiet. If we take advantage of this, if the British Parliament could be persuaded to seek out what are still the wrongs and grievances of the Irish people, and to endeavour to remedy them, not with a grudging hand, but in a broad and generous spirit, not waiting for clamorous agitation, then I believe that this expected truce will develop into a lasting treaty of peace and amity. But do not let us deceive ourselves. Do not let us suppose that our work is yet complete. As long as Ireland is without any institutions of local government worthy of the name; as long as nothing is done to cultivate the sense of responsibility among the people; as long as Irish- men in their own country are deprived of rights and privileges which are conceded to Englishmen and Scotchmen—even to Irishmen in this country; as long as the largo proportion of the population are shut out from any part in the management of their own affairs, while the education of the people is stinted, their prejudices ignored—so long the seeds of discontent and disloyalty will remain, only to burst forth into luxuriant growth at the first favourable season. The House will see that my right hon. Friend was not speaking in these observations of any immediate legislation, but of the general tenour of English policy in Ireland. The other night, when addressing the House, I made such references as I thought were necessary to my own speech. I am sorry that the hon. Member should think that there is any difference between my right hon. Friend and myself; but I must leave these speeches to the judgment of the House.