HC Deb 14 June 1883 vol 280 cc650-1

Order for Third Reading read.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read the third. time."—(Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer.)

MR. R. N. FOWLER

said, he had steadily voted for this Bill, and for Lord Alcester's Bill; but he wished to express his regret at the course Lord Wolseley had taken with regard to the Holy Carpet which was sent to Mecca. Lord Wolseley had presented a Memorandum, in which he argued that this was not a religious ceremony, and that the course he took was to pay a tribute of respect not to the Mahomedan religion, but to the Sultan. Lord Wolseley was a man of high authority; but he would venture to put against his opinion the opinion of Sir William Muir, a man equally emi- nent, though in a different way, who was not only one of their most prominent Indian statesmen, having been Governor of the North-West Provinces and Minister of Finance in India, but who was also a great authority upon this subject, having devoted his leisure to the study of the Mahomedan religion. His Life of Mahomet was the best work on the subject. Sir William Muir had written a letter to The Standard, in which he contradicted Lord Wolseley; and he submitted that his opinion ought to have more weight than Lord Wolseley's. It seemed to him to be the duty of this country to protest against any sanction being given to the Mahomedan religion. This was still, he hoped, a Christian country, and they ought not to give their sanction to the religion of the false Prophet.

MR. O'SHEA

said, he was sorry that this question lead been brought before the House at that late hour. He was astounded to hear the hon. Member quoting the opinion of Sir William Muir, who was a Member of the Indian Council, and had sent round Circulars in favour of the Zenana Mission. When the Queen became Empress of India, it was clearly laid down that she was not to interfere with the religious beliefs of the people of India; and yet the hon. Member cited the opinion upon this subject of a gentleman who sent Circulars round to Members of Parliament in favour of the Zenana Mission.

Motion agreed to.

Bill read the third time, and passed.