§ Mr. JOHN JONESasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware 2910W of a strike of farm labourers at Donaghadee; whether a police officer in charge is advising the farmers to shoot any trade union pickets who approach their farms; that two of these pickets have been shot and wounded in the face; that, although these wounded men gave information at the police station on Friday last, the police have refused to take any action in the matter; and whether be will make inquiries into this matter?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the question there is absolutely no foundation for the allegation that any such statement was made by a police officer. On the 4th instant a party of sixteen labourers entered the lands of William Matier at Ballyforherry, near Donaghadee, with the object of speaking to Matier's two workmen (non-union men). Matier challenged them and ordered them off his lands. This they did reluctantly, and Matier, who had a double-barrelled gun with him, discharged a "six-shot" cartridge at the crowd and some of the pellets struck the labourers. On learning of the incident the local police at once made inquiries, and at a special court at Donaghadee, on the 7th instant, the depositions of three of the strike labourers were taken and Matier was returned for trial.