HC Deb 07 June 1894 vol 25 cc553-4
MR. ROSS (Londonderry)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the report of the meeting of the Athea Branch of the Irish National Federation on the 27th of May, as reported in The Limerick Leader of the 30th of May, in which it is stated that it was proposed to deal openly with those persons who had been written to regarding their dealings with the "grabber." The village blacksmith not having replied, it is now intended to— isolate him and call upon the farmers to leave him alone in his glory with the obnoxious grabber and his aiders"; and whether he proposes to take any steps to vindicate the law?

MR. J. MORLEY

I have seen a newspaper report of the proceedings at the meeting referred to in the question. There is no evidence, however, of what took place at the meeting, which was held indoors, and I am informed by the local police that the paragraph has had no effect whatever, nor is it believed it will have any.

MR. MACARTNEY

But there was a meeting held.

MR. J. MORLEY

Unlike the other case, in which there was no meeting, there was a meeting in this case, but indoors.

MR. MACARTNEY

The practical publication of incitements to intimidation have the same effect as if the meeting were held.

MR. T. W. RUSSELL

asked whether it was not an infraction of the law to incite to intimidation?

MR. J. MORLEY

Cerfainly. If the police find that any injurious effect follows from the adoption of a resolution of this kind at a meeting and its publication in a newspaper, action is taken upon it. But if the effect of taking action would be likely to produce harm, we consider that we are acting prudently in taking no notice.

MR. T. W. RUSSELL

Do the Government, then, only take action in such cases when mischief has resulted?

MR. J. MORLEY

No; that is not at all the position I have taken up. What I said was that if the police consider that no injurious effect is likely to follow such resolutions, the Executive Government think it as well to take no notice of them.

MR. W. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean that the National Federation is entirely powerless in Ireland?

MR. SEXTON

Will the Government treat these meetings as they treat meetings held in Ulster, at which threats to declare war against the Queen are made although nothing happens afterwards?

*MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER (Belfast, W.)

Is it not the case that, since the 14th of April, 36 cases of denunciation of individuals and 23 cases of outrage and assault have occurred, the persons outraged having all been denounced previously?

MR. J. MORLEY

I must ask for notice of that question.