§ 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. ARTHUR O'CONNORcalled attention to the imposition of the police tax in certain parts of Queen's County. There was no portion of Ireland more free from crime of every description than the county which he had the honour to represent; and, at the same time, there was no portion of Ireland which suffered more from landlord oppression and injustice. Within the last few weeks the authorities in Ireland had thought fit to place in the most peaceable districts in the county a number of extra police. There was no reason whatever for that step, and the presence of those officers was a standing outrage upon the people. The Chairman of the Quarter Sessions, Mr. W. R. Fitzmaurice, had stated recently that he did not think there was any more vexatious 284 or tormenting measure than that which placed upon the county the extra police.
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! I apprehend that the hon. Member is not in Order in discussing a police rate when the Income Tax Bill is before the House. The Income Tax Bill has nothing to do with the police rate.
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORsaid, it was a Constitutional principle in this country that the redress of grievances should precede Supply. It was now proposed to tax the people of Ireland and the people of this country in the shape of additional Income Tax. He would oppose any additional tax upon the people of Ireland. He maintained that this taxation was most unjustifiable, and a great grievance. Of course, if the Speaker was prepared to rule that a Member was not at liberty to object to existing taxation and to a Money Bill on the ground that it was unjust and grievous, he would at once resume his seat; but he did not think that any Member would contend that he was departing from a very long line of precedents in resisting the imposition of additional taxes on the third reading of a Money Bill.
§ MR. SPEAKERsaid, that this Motion should be moved on going into Supply. He certainly held that any question as to the imposition of a police rate would be quite irrelevant upon the consideration of the Income Tax Bill.
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORThen, Mr. Speaker, I will content myself by making a protest against this measure.
§ Motion agreed to.
§ Bill read the third time, and passed.