The Weekly Gazette for Middlesbrough, Stockton, Hartlepool and Cleveland District. — 1883-03-31 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

RICHARDSON, M.P., who VIM warmly greeted by the meeting, said day after day and night after night he supported the Irish Land Bill. (A Vows: "Coercion.") He never voted for coercion ;—he voted for a Bill to prevent crime being committed, and he would be very much surprised if there were any Irishmen in that borough who were not quite as anxious as be was that crime and murder ebould be prevented. (APPlntlic.) Every Irishman, be thought, ought to be particularly thankful to Englishmen and Scotchmen who had been patriotic enough to neglect their home matters and spend three years in working for the weal of Ireland; and he was ✓are it had been the desire of members—as it bad been a wish nearest the heart of Mr Gladstone—to do the very best for Ireland. (Cheers.) Mr Gladstone's legislation would work a cure if it were let alone by that unfortunate agitation which had worked so much evil for Ireland. (Cheers.) Dealing with the franchise, the hon. gentleman said be would like to see agricnlturista with • vote, because we should then have more farmers in the House of Commons, and the land would stand a better chance of being freed from incumbrances. He recommended the abandonment of small holdings in Ireland, and condemned the obstructive tactics e three or fear men on the Opposition side of the House, who were determined to impede all legislation having for its object the general welfare of the empire. (Applemee.)—An enthusiastic meeting was brought to a close by a hearty' veto of thanks being accorded to the Chairman, on the motion of Sir .TOSEPH Paean, 'wended by Mr Ricualtesoe.  and others, led by that geest leader, Mr Wm. Ewart Gladstone-40*d applatutel —the manses looked for matinees vetoing the liquor traffic, extending the county franChiba, and ending corrupt practices at elections.—(Cheers.)—kfr Far, in supporting the resolution, said that if one thing wee more certain than another it was that Mr Gladstone was a working man of the truest type He had read of him felling a tree in a snowstorm; and he (Mr Fry) hoped that on the Premier's return to the House he-would do something to fell that tree of obstruotion which threatened, norwithstanding the Rules of Procedure, to impede the progress of public business. (Cheers.) Obstruction wee hydra-headed. As soon as the giant Imo-eked off one head, another came up in its place. If we had not Lord Randolph Churchill, we had Mr Gorst; when one set down the other popped up—for all the world like those two automatic gentlemen who lived in the miniature wooden hut, and came out, one in wet weather, and the other in fine. (Laughter.) One great question that pressed for consideration was that dealing with an extension of the franchise an.l a redistribution of seats. Large boroughs magi,/ to have an secession of power in the Hone. of Commons, and the smaller boroughs ought to be pewee in review. We had little Eye, that returned Ashmead Bartlett (laughter) Woodetock, ' that sent Lord Randolph Chnrchill—(laughter) —and Bridport mot on of the most troublesome ' members at all conceivable Mr Warton. (Laughter.) All that the last-named gentleman did was to block most of the Bills brought in on the Liberal (ride of the House. He believed that Mr Warton had already blocked as many as 29 useful measures. There were 27 places like Bridport, returning 27 members; and a man r like Mr Stagg, at Manchester, bad half the ' nivaber of votes that returned the 27 members. Jflimeghter.) Taking ell *this as a basis of reproaemention, Birmingham was actually entitled to 65 members. (Loud laughter.) He wee ' delighted to think, therefore, that a. Bill dealing with the franehise and s redistribution of seats would before tong receive the attention of Parlianient. (Cheers.) Be could name a 'measure, however, which was of greater importance even than the Bankruptcy Bill, the Corrupt Practices Bill, or the County Franchise Bill, and that was • measure of licensing reform. He would recommend the passing of social measures first—the country, for instance, was ripe for a Sunday Closing Bill; then he would suggest the adoption of a measure extending the franchise and redistributing oasts; and he believed that Mr Gladstone, if blessed with health, would pans these measures before he dissolved Parliament. (Applause.)—Mr