§ 64. Mr. HAYDENasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that trouble has arisen in the parish of Moore, county Roscommon, over the efforts of a landowner to dispossess a number of people in that parish from certain lands to which they allege they have a legal claim, and that the police have interfered in this dispute on the side of the landowner; whether the police are acting under the orders of the military authorities in this matter; whether, through the police, the military authorities have cautioned editors of newspapers in Ireland against publishing resolutions passed on the subject by representative public bodies or any reference whatever to this agitation; whether he will state what is the authority for making such representation; and whether such matters come properly within the jurisdiction of the military authorities and were ever contemplated in connection with any Statute under which they may be presumed to be acting?
Mr. SAMUELThe trouble referred to having resulted in cattledriving the police in the ordinary discharge of their duty were obliged to oppose illegal violence. I understand that the Censor prohibited the publication of one resolution about this incident passed by the Joint Committee of the Ballinasloe Lunatic Asylum, the terms of which were in contravention of the Defence of the Realm Regulations.
§ Mr. HAYDENHas the right hon. Gentleman made any inquiry as to whether the police called upon the editor of the "Roscommon Messenger" with a caution from the military authorities not to publish anything bearing upon the matter?
§ Mr. HAYDENHas complaint been made to the right hon. Gentleman that such caution has been administered?
Mr. SAMUELNo. I am not aware that such caution was administered. I am informed that a particular resolution which contravened the Defence of the Realm Regulations was not allowed to be published. If the hon. Member will send me particulars I will inquire.
§ Mr. HAYDENI have sent them.