HC Deb 14 May 1886 vol 305 cc1043-5
MR. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, If he has received the Resolutions from the Association of Irish Non-Subscribing Presbyterians, passed at a meeting in Belfast, on Tuesday 11th May 1886, which contain the following passage:— That the peace and prosperity of Ireland and the satisfaction of the just aspirations of her people are dear to all its members, and they will welcome any measure in which these objects are adequately recognised; but that they firmly and respectfully reject the overtures embodied in the provisions of the Government Bill on the grounds that this measure, by subverting the present Constitution, which preserves the rights and liberties of Ireland through the legislation of the Imperial Parliament, will introduce fresh conflicts in Ireland, will disturb the public confidence essential to economic welfare, and will stimulate the sentiment of separation from Great Britain; and, if he will lay his reply upon the Table of the House?

MR. SEXTON (Sligo, S.)

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that Question I should like to ask him if he is aware that this meeting was attended by only 26 persons; also that an Amendment declaring approval of the policy and the measure of the right hon. Gentleman was supported by one-third of the meeting; and whether he is aware that the hon. Gentleman who puts this Question has of late repeatedly and publicly advised his friends to base the success of their opposition to the policy of the Government not on resolutions, but on rifles?

MR. SPEAKER

I think this is a Question which does not arise fairly out of the Question on the Paper, nor do I think it ought to be answered.

THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. E. GLADSTONE) (Edinburgh, Mid Lothian)

I will not make any comment whatever on the Question of the hon. Member. Whether it be a fit subject in any respect for remark at the present moment or not I reserve for further consideration and for the opportunities which debate may legitimately offer; but at present I confine myself to the Question. It is not for me to say that the meeting which has taken place requires the Parliamentary Notice which the hon. Member has given it; but as he has given it that Notice, I think the Notice ought to be a little more complete than he has made it. He does not appear to have read the entire document that proceeded from these gentlemen.

MR. JOHNSTON

If the right hon. Gentleman will pardon me for interrupting him, I asked the Clerk at the Table if I could put in the entire document, and I was told I could not.

MR. W. E. GLADSTONE

That shows, I think, the difficulty of putting partial Questions of this kind. My contention is that the paragraph, as it stands, does not represent the genuine and legitimate feeling of the meeting, or of the majority referred to by the hon. Member opposite. I hope I may be permitted somewhat to enlarge the reference made to the sentiments of this meeting. The paragraph, I believe, is a perfectly genuine one; but the meeting followed it up by saying—and they do this in order to strengthen their argument advanced in the paragraph quoted— That they feel themselves justified by their previous attitude to measures of the Prime Minister, especially his disestablishment policy, in urging upon him to withdraw the Bill with a view to a policy which shall more maturely deal with the difficulties of the Irish Question, and that in urging this course on Mr. Gladstone they believe they are expressing not merely their own convictions of what is right, but the view also of a not inconsiderable body of Irishmen who have appreciated most highly the spirit and the power of his leadership. That is what has prevented him from reading out the later paragraphs. I am glad the hon. Member has enabled me to bring this under the notice of the House. With respect to my reply, I do not think it is worthy of being enshrined in a Parliamentary Paper. It is not very long, and I am perfectly willing to read it to the hon. Member if it be agreeable to the House— Sir, I am desired by Mr. Gladstone to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 11th instant, forwarding a copy of a resolution passed at the special meeting of the Association of Irish Non-Subscribing Presbyterians on the subject of the Bill for the future Government of Ireland. While regretting that the Association are unable to approve the Bill, Mr. Gladstone is glad to be reminded that he has been in harmony with them on many occasions. He observes, also, with satisfaction that they perceive there is an Irish question which they wish to be seriously dealt with; and he has no doubt if Parliament should deem further time to be required for treating the particulars of the measure in a satisfactory manner, it will in the course of the free discussion now proceeding make known its wish accordingly.