§ MR. LONSDALETo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the opinion of Chief Baron Palles at the Leinster Winter Assizes on 1st December, that to endeavour to dissuade Irishmen from joining the Army, Navy, or Police for the alleged reason that England is the arch enemy of Ireland is seditious; whether he is aware that numerous placards of this character have been circulated in Ireland during the last six months; and what is the nature of the instructions upon which the police are now acting in this matter.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) I have seen a report of the Lord Chief Baron's address to the grand jury, in which he stated the law in the terms set forth in the Question. I am informed by the police authorities that many leaflets of the character mentioned have been distributed within the past six months, but that recently the dissemination of such matter has become comparatively rare. The police have instructions to seize printed matter of a seditious nature, and to report such evidence as may be available regarding persons distributing the same.