The herald., 1893-02-14

break parliamentary trAultlOns
"Now come to the reasons against
universal voting power. 1t would be
great anomaly If these 80 Irish members
should came here to continually inter
vene in questions purely and absolutely
British. The whole subject ia full OF
thorns and brambles, but our object is
autonomy and selfgovernment for
Ireland in all matters properly Irish.
the difficulty Of the retention Of Irish
members in the house. This is q Sec
ondary matter in their eyes, and ought
not to interfere with the principal aim.
''In the face of this feeling of uncer-
tainty over the question Of the reten-
ton OF the Irish members we have
affixed to the paragraph concerning the
question the words, excepting and
until parliament shall determine the
coming financial leglslation.'
FINANCIAL LEaIsLAT1oN.
II wish to supply the keynote to the
financial part Of the legislation. The
keynote is to be found in the provision
that there is to be but one system OF
legislation for all the kingdoms as far as
eternal things are concerned. 1t guided
us to the conclusion at which we arrived
of the unity of commercial legisla-
ton for the three kingdoms.
This includes customs and excise
duties, postoffice and telegraphs. By
adopting this keynote we can attain the
most valuable results, and will be likely
to avoid the clashing Of the agents OF
imperial and the agents of Irish govern
ment. We can make, under cover OF
this proposal, larger and more liberal
transfer to Ireland In the management
of her own affairs than we could make
if we proceeded upon any other princi.
pie. We hope to escape in this way all
collection In the interior of Ireland OF
any revenue whatever by impe-
rial authority. The principle to
which we g are bound to give
effect in Ireland is that Ireland has to
bear fair share of the imperial ex-
penditure. fHear, hear!] There are
three modes in which this may be at
tanned. The first method is the lump
sum method adopted in 1885. Another
method is what may be simply described
as the method of quotata; but the third
method, which one we adopt. is that of
deducting from the Irish revenues the
amount due England. We provide that
the revenue levied in Ireland shall be
revenue really belonging to Ire
land; that is 9 revenue from
goods consumed in Ireland. With GUS
toms there is large debt from Ireland
to this country. do not know what
the house might consider the right
amount due England; Judgments might
fuctuate. But the amount is 92, ,430.-
600 yearly, and e6O, 900 allowed for col
lection, leaves E2, 2,370, 900 net. Through
the rates of excise and post and tele-
graph rates will be fixed the amount.
The authority and whole contsol over
them will be absolutely in the hands of
Irish officers.
TRUSTING IRISH PATRIOTISM.
''We are assured that we shall obtain
from Ireland fair share of assistance
in great imperial emergency. I my
self am bound to say I think there is
very little to fear from trusting the
patriotism and llberality of the Irish
legislature. [Cries of 'Oh, OH and
cheers from members on the govern
ment benches.] Stinginess was never a
vice Of the Irish people, and if
! we leok forward very much
am afraid her sufferings will be
due to generous extravagances rather
than meanness. When we come to
state of war, we have to look to three
sources: Customs, excise and income
tax. With regard to customs, we pro-
pose to leave them in our hands, 30
there cnn be no difficulty in adapting
the contribution 80 far as customs are
concerned. With regard to excise, we
have in view proposition to retain con-
siderable control in our hands. which
will enable Great Britain to make sure
of having aid from Ireland if she thinks
such q provision necessary.
THE IRISH BALANCE SHEET.
'The Irish balance sheet stands thus !:
1 On the credit side would appear excise,
ca, 100000, while the taxation, which
goes over stamps, income tax and excise
licenses, is sl, ,495, 600; postal revenue,
e740, 900; crown lands, E65 900; miscel-
lsneous, e140, 900; making total of 95,-
$50, 600. Onthe other side, Ireland taxes
over the whole civil charges, with the
exception of the constabulary charges,
sS, 900; inland revenue, s 916o, 900,
and postal service, 100000. We pro-
constabulary charges, and amounting to
s1 900, 900. This would bring the Irish
charges to s5, ,160. 900. We propose that
she shall receive against that the items
l have put to her credit. amounting to
s5, $3.50, 900. Thus she will have clear
surplus Of a50O, 900 with which to start
on her mission.
DANGEROUS ROCK AHEAD.
"I will now release the house from
the painful consideration Of details
which it has pursued with unexampled
patience. have tried to convey the
fundamental conception and spirit Of
the scheme. Although there may be
friendly and unfriendly criticisms, hope
I shall not give offense when express my
deep conviction that . plan closely re-
sembling this may shortly become law.
There is one risk, that is, if the con-
troversy is unduly and unwarrantedly
prolonged. the law for self-government
in Irish affairs may become q demand
for the repepl Of the union and the re-es-
tablishment of dual supremacy in these
islands. hope the ship of state may
| be steered from that rock.
Ireland ever since 1885. if not before,
but unequivocally and nationally since,
has abandoned the whole argument that
perhaps she is entitled to make on the
subject Of union. She has asked you to
save for yourselves every imperial
power; she has consented to except the
house OF commons and the universal
supremacy Of the empire. In re-
turn she has asked you only
the management of her own
nfFn;~a xrh;ch roarov, and ;rutioo o,,v,