§ MR. W. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can give the House any information of the origin and result of the riots in Montreal on the 8th instant; whether it is true, as reported, that an attack was made on persons conducting religious services, in a gospel tent, by rioters carrying a red flag, and shouting "Vive les Catholiques;" and that, at midnight, masses of men were marching through the streets of Montreal singing the Marseillaise; and what measures have been taken to protect the small minority of Protestants in the Province of Quebec?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. S. BUXTON, Tower Hamlets, Poplar)We have no official information on the subject, the matter being one which concerns the Municipal Authorities of Montreal and the Provincial Government of Quebec, who are responsible for the maintenance of law and order.
§ MR. W. REDMONDIs it not a fact that the unfortunate disturbances in Montreal arose from the Catholics being publicly called idolaters, and that that statement was subsequently apologised for?
§ MR. S. BUXTONI have no official information beyond that appearing in the newspapers.