§ *MR. WILLIAM JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he has received a letter from the Deputy District Master of the Orangemen of Lecale, residing in Downpatrick, repudiating the statement that it has been the ordinary practice to prevent the Orangemen walking through Irish Street; whether he is aware that they have been in the habit of going through Irish Street, Downpatrick, every 12th of July, and that on Pretoria Day the street was decorated with loyal flags and illuminated; and will he explain why the demonstration, which was composed of loyalists of all classes, was prohibited by the police from manifesting their joy at the success of the British arms in South Africa.
§ MR. G. W. BALFOURThe reply to the first paragraph is in the affirmative. Apart from the statement of the Deputy District Master, the information before me is to the effect that the Orangemen have not been in the habit of marching through Irish Street every 12th July. Last year, it is true, they did so, but this was the only occasion for a number of years past on which they passed through the thoroughfare. Irish Street was partially decorated on the 5th June. I need hardly say there is no foundation whatever for the statement in the last paragraph.
§ MR. FLAVINWhen did the Irish people adopt Pretoria Day as a national holiday? Is there any authority for it?
§ *MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!