MOTION FOR LEAVE. (Hansard, 20 May 1886)

§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Londonderry, S.)
Before a Bill of this importance is brought in we should have some explanation of its provisions from the hon. and gallant Member in charge of it. There is a Standing Order which says that Bills dealing—as I presume this one does—with religion shall be brought in in Committee. It may be said, however, that this Bill does not interfere with religion, but is only to prevent clergymen from interfering with elections. We know nothing about any such interference, and we doubt whether it exists. After this, we may have Bills brought 1629 in to prevent landlords interfering with elections, and then to prevent similar interference on the part of the agents of landlords, and so on. All these subjects are of importance, and it is perfectly monstrous to initiate this kind of legislation without a word of explanation. I shall feel bound, therefore, to oppose the introduction of the Bill, unless some explanation is given of the measure.

§ CAPTAIN M'CALMONT (Antrim, E.)
My object in wishing to introduce this Bill is simply to add to the purity of elections. I believe there is a certain amount of intimidation connected with elections in Ireland. The hon. and learned Gentleman below the Gangway says no information of interference with elections on the part of clergymen exists; and, if that is so, it cannot be said that I am interfering with the rights of candidates at elections. I am merely adding to the purity of elections by this measure; it would apply to clergymen of all denominations. I venture to hope that the House will consent to allow it to be proceeded with.

§ MR. CHANCE (Kilkenny, S.)
I am afraid the explanation of the hon. and gallant Member is hardly satisfactory. I think the hon. and gallant Gentleman cannot be aware that there is in existence a severe Act dealing with corrupt and improper acts at elections, which makes it penal for anyone to improperly "interfere" with an election. I think the introduction of a Bill of this character would throw serious aspersions on the character of the clergy of all denominations, not only in Ireland, but over the whole of England; and I think the House should hesitate before allowing such an intolerant measure as this to be brought in. I am not aware that it has been proved in any Court of Law that during the recent General Election contests were influenced or interfered with by the clergy of any denomination; and I think it would be an unfortunate state of things if we could not pass through the ordeal of a General Election without such a Bill as this. We know that through the interference of the political Party to which the hon. and gallant Member belongs we had contests all through Ireland at the last Election, a great many of them being vexatious and unnecessary; therefore, we may assume that the object now in view is to increase 1630 the chances of these Gentlemen of being able to find flaws in elections, so as to upset the return of Nationalist candidates. This Bill extends only to Ireland. We have, as I say, in that country had no interference by the clergy with elections on the National, or popular side. I believe, however, it may be said with truth that there was clerical interference on what I may term the unpopular side in England. It is a significant fact, therefore, that the hon. and gallant Member desires to impose such stringent measures upon Ireland, where the doctrines which his political Party hold are supported by so few members of any form of the Christian faith, whilst he would leave this country free—a country in which I say, without the slightest fear of contradiction, there was a considerable amount of clerical interference at the last Election. He proposes to leave English Members to the mercy of the Corrupt Practices Act alone. I think hon. Gentlemen will not be surprised if on this occasion we desire to secure for Ireland immunity from a law which will be a scandal and a disgrace to the Statute Book. For these reasons I shall vote against the Motion for leave to introduce the Bill. Another point is that whilst the hon. and gallant Member is anxious to interfere with Parliamentary elections, he does not make the slightest effort to interfere with municipal and other elections. We know there are other elections which are not under the Ballot, and that when we proposed to prevent intimidation or interference with these elections by prescribing the machinery of the Ballot it was the right hon. Gentleman's Party that divided against the Bill. Against what seemed to me the very evident sense of the House, they pressed the matter to a division. I do not think this Bill is a judicious one. It cannot be judicious to detract from a body of clergy against whom nothing has been proved.

§ MR. DE COBAIN (Belfast, E.)
As to extending the measure to Municipal and Poor Law elections, I think my hon. and gallant Friend would have no objection to do that in Committee. He would, I believe, be prepared to extend it to all elections. I would advise him to permit the provisions to be extended to all elections, because, certainly, clerical interference has extended to all elections in 1631 Ireland, and has been by no means confined to Parliamentary contests.

§ MR. JOHNS (Warwick, Nuneaton)
I beg to say that we have the Corrupt Practices Act, which deals with undue interference. I, therefore, regard the Bill as unnecessary; and unless it is applied to England I shall vote against it.