The Express.
London, England, 1866-07-20 00:00:00

THE PROPOSED REFORM DEMONSTRATION IN

HYDE-PARK.

Mr. P. A. TAYLOR asked whether the notices issued
by Sir Richard Mayne, prohibiting the proposed reform
meeting in Hyde-park, bad been promulgated by the
authority of the government, and if so, under what provi-
sion of the law such an interference with the right of the
people to meet in a peaceful and orderly manner bad been
made.

Mr. WALPOLE—I could have wished the hon. gentle-
man had sent me an earlier notice of his intention
to put this question, in order that I might have
given a complete answer to it ; but speaking from
recollection I think I can give him nearly a
complete answer. That order, which has been signed by
Sir Richard Mayne, has been issued by my authority and
under my direction, and I am entirely responsible for it.
(Hear, hear.) Since the latter part of the hon. gentle-
men's question refers to what he supposes to be an ille-
gality in the issue of such a notice, I wish to inform him,
and to inform the house, if they are not already acquainted
with the facts, that notices have been placarded over
every part of the metropolis inviting large assemblages of
persons to meet at different parts of the metropolis at six
o'clock in the evening, and to go in procession to Hyde-
park at half.past six, for the purpose, avowed in
some of those notices, of making what they term
a demonstration, and for the purpose, as they state
in other of those notices, of meeting in Hyde-park.
I think I need not point out to the house
the consequences to which such assemblages of men
in Hyde-park might lead—that they might, and probably
would, lead to riots or to disorderly conduct—(" Oh, oh
from the opposition, and cheers from the ministerial side
of the house)—certainly to conduct which would interfere
with the recreation of quiet and orderly people—(hear,
hear)—for whom the parks, which are the property of the
crown, are open, but not for public demonstrations of
the kind proposed. (Cheers.) There is nothing in
the notices signed by Sir Richard Mayne to imply
that procession., orderly conducted, are illegal—there
is nothing in that notice to prevent persons from
holding meetings in the usual way for the purpose
of discussing politics, or any other subject ; but
I think that an one holding the office which I have the
honour to hold is bound to attend to the public peace of
this metropolis, and if hebelieves that the parks, which are
open by the permission of her Majesty for the benefit of
all her Jlajesty's subjects, are likely to be devoted to any
purpose that would interfere with the quiet recreation of
the people, and might lead to riots and disorderly demon-
stration., he world be most blameable if be did not issue
en order similar to that which I have given. (Hear, hear,
and cheers.)
Sir G. GREY—I beg to state that the course taken by
my right hon. friend is in exact accordance with that
which has been taken on former occasions. (Hear, hear.)
On a previous occasion, when notice had been given that
it was intended to hold a public meeting in Hyde-peek,
which is a royal park, a prohibition of that meeting was
issued, that prohibition being founded onthe circumstance
to which my right hon. friend has alluded, that the parks
were open for the recreation and enjoyment of the public
but the issue of the notice had no reference to the abstract
right to hold public meetings. (Hear, bear.)
Mr. J. S. MILL asked the right hon. gentleman the
Home Secretary whether it was to be understood that the
prohibition which bad been issued in the present case was
founded solely on the circumstance that the meeting was
intended to be held in one of the parks. U so, they might
have to conrider--(Cries of " Order.")
Mr. WALPOLE—I will answer that question by saying
that the notice I have issued is certainly grounded on the
airanmstanee that the meeting was intended to be held in
Hyde-park, (Hear, hear.) As the question has been put
to me, I do hope that the notice I have caused to be imbued
will not b supposed to be intended in the Wet to prevent