§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLWill you, Sir, kindly permit me on this, the first opportunity I have had, to contradict a direct falsehood which has appeared in one of the papers with reference to myself. The falsehood was contained in the Daily Telegraph of Friday last, and unfortunately people outside the House are ready to believe any falsehood which, anyone writes about Irish Members. There is a very full and sensational account of what is described as my conduct during the rather excited scene in the House on Thursday. The article, which is of a very sensational character and evidently written for the glorification of the Colonial Secretary, said—
Mr. Chamberlain, rising in a crowded House, the audience including a dozen Peers, was greeted by loud cheers from the Ministerialists.
§ * MR. SPEAKERThe hon. Member has risen to make a personal explanation, and I hope he will keep to that point.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLI have to read the introduction in order to show how I came to be referred to. It is explained how the right hon. Gentleman went straight for his assailants, and is supposed to have pulverised the Leader of the Opposition. Then it is stated—
The Irish Members became restless. Mr. Macneill, finding his vow of silence insupportable, broke forth in a series of roars.I wish to inform you, Sir, that I was not in the House. I was in Scotland at that time, within a few miles of Edinburgh, 846 making a speech, in which no doubt I did refer to the Colonial Secretary; but ail I have to say is that hon. Gentlemen who read these accounts in the Press will now understand what credit should be attached to descriptions of this nature.