§ MR. DE COBAIN (Belfast, E.)asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether he has received a copy of a resolution passed at the "Ulster Liberal Convention" on Friday last; and, if not, whether he is aware that the resolution stated that the Liberal party in Ireland would offer a most determined opposition to the establishment of a separate Irish Parliament, as it would be certain to produce a disastrous collision between sections of the people holding conflicting views on social, economic, and religious subjects, and would produce a feeling of 36 insecurity which would jeopardise all industrial and commercial pursuits, and that the maintenance of the Union between Great Britain and Ireland was the best safeguard for the peace, prosperity, and liberty of all classes in Ireland; and, whether he would endeavour to produce a copy and lay it upon the Table of this House, the declaration of the opinions from those who were the adherents of the Liberal party in Ireland?
§ MR. SEXTON (Sligo, S.)In reference to this Question, I would ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware that the resolution referred to was adopted at a preliminary meeting only by a majority of one; if at the Convention itself an amendment declaring confidence in the right hon. Gentleman's Irish policy was made the subject of a division; that the chairman refused to ascertain in a conclusive way the result of the division; and that the mover of the amendment and those who supported him maintained that the amendment was in reality supported by a large majority of the Convention?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. E. GLADSTONE) (Edinburgh, Mid Lothian)I have been made cognizant of the resolution to which the Question refers, and I have also heard some statements with regard to the proceedings at the meeting at which the resolution appears to have been adopted. I do not think it my duty to enter into an examination of those proceedings, and all that I have to say is already covered by what I stated on a former occasion—namely, that I shall endeavour to see whether, from the papers expressive of the views of important bodies in Ireland, a selection may be made which would be instructive.