THE DUKE or ARGYLLMy Lords, I have a few words to address to the House of the nature of a personal, and, I am sorry to say, a very painful, explanation. My Lords, I have resigned the Office which I have held in Her Majesty's Government, and that resignation has been accepted by the Queen. It is usual for a Minister, under such circumstances, to give some explanation in Parliament of the causes for the course which he has taken. There are, however, some great difficulties, and, indeed, insuperable difficulties, in the way of my giving, on the present occasion, any explanation which can be really satisfactory to your Lordships or to myself. My differences with my Colleagues concern—and concern only—a measure which is now before the other House of Parliament; and, quite obviously, it would be improper for me now, and in your Lordships' House, to enter upon the discussion of that Bill. 994 I can only, therefore, say in the very general terms that whilst I approve and heartily support every measure which can reasonably be taken to increase the number of owners of land in Ireland, I am opposed to measures which tend to destroy ownership altogether, by depriving it of the conditions which are necessary to the exercise of its functions. My Lords, it has been one of the professed objects of the Liberal Party for many years to get rid, as much as possible, of those restrictions which constitute what is called "limited ownership" in land. My opinion is, that the scheme of the Government will tend to paralyze the ownership of land in Ireland by placing it, for all time to come, under new fetters and limitations, under which it is not placed in any other civilized country in the world. Under this scheme neither the landlord nor the tenant will be owner. In Ireland, ownership will be in commission, or in abeyance. My Lords, I regard this result as injurious to the agricultural industry of any country, and especially injurious to a country in the condition of Ireland. I am not able to develop this opinion, or to defend it now; but I trust, at least, it will be recognized by your Lordships as an opinion which represents an objection fundamental in its character, and affecting, more or less directly, several leading proposals of the Government. Holding the opinion I have indicated of the Government scheme, I felt I could not, as an honest man, be responsible for recommending that scheme, as a whole, to the adoption of Parliament. My Lords, I have only further to say that I have taken this step with deep regret, on account of the separation which it makes between myself and my noble Friends near me, and especially the separation which it makes between myself and my right hon. Friend at the head of the Government. My Lords, I have had the honour of a close political connection with my right hon. Friend now for the long period of 29 years—a connection on my part of ever increasing affection and respect. Nothing but an absolute sense of public duty, in relation to a question of immense and far-reaching consequence, could have compelled me to take the step which I now most reluctantly communicate to your Lordships.