§ MR. WILLIAM O'BRIEN (Tyrone, S.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If his attention has been called to the following advertisements in The Belfast News Letter;—
Rifles. Tenders required for 20,000 Sniders in good order, with Bayonets or Swords, to be delivered, carriage paid, on or before June 1, in Lots, at certain stations on Northern Counties Railway, as may be required by Purchaser. Address Vigilance Committee, 8335, Office of this Paper;Wanted a few Men thoroughly competent to instruct in Military Drill. The Drill Instructors must not be in receipt of Pensions from the Government;and, whether any notice will be taken of the matter?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY) (Newcastle-on-Tyne)The Irish Government have no information that would lead them to suppose that there is any serious meaning to be attached to the advertisements to which the hon. Member calls attention. A person in earnest on such a subject would hardly have recourse to an advertisement in a paper in Belfast, where, I believe, there are no arms factories. I may point out that the unlicensed carrying of arms in a 1159 proclaimed district, and also the assemblage of parties for the purpose of drilling, are offences known to the law. The Constabulary are well aware of their duty regarding these offences, and do not at present apprehend any difficulty in carrying it out should the necessity arise.