Petition, and of the reply thereto, upon | tinuation of Parliamentary Paper, No. the Table ? 136, of Session 1881)? MR. EVELYN ASHLEY: Sir, no reply has yet been returned to the Petition, and there may be some delay, as the Governor of Fiji has not yet sent his remarks, and the Colonial Office may also possibly wait for the arrival in England of Sir Arthur Gordon. I may, however, remind my hon. Friend that the ordinance under which Mr. Williamson, an independent barrister, went out from this country to Fiji to hear these land claims distinctly provided that the decisions given by the Commission under that ordinance should be final. TURKEY-THE WAR INDEMNITY. BARON HENRY DE WORMS asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether it is the fact, as stated in the press, that the Russian Government has surrendered to Turkey the instalment of the Russo-Turkish war indemnity now due, and that such instalment has been offered by the Porte as a supplementary guarantee for the repayment of the advance which is to be made to Turkey by the Ottoman Bank to provide for the expenses of the Turkish expedition to Egypt; and, if so, whether Her Majesty's Government has received information as to any other steps that may have been taken by Russia to promote a Turkish intervention in Egypt without fulfilling the conditions laid down by Her Majesty's Government for such intervention ? SIR CHARLES W. DILKE: Sir, we have heard from Constantinople that the Turkish Government has obtained a loan on the security of the Russian indemnity instalments; but we have no information that the Russian Government has surrendered an instalment, or has taken any other steps of the nature referred to by the hon. Gentleman. NAVY-RE-ENGAGEMENTS. SIR JOHN HAY asked the Secretary to the Admiralty, If he will grant a Return stating the estimated number of men whose engagements expired in 1881 and 1882, and the numbers re-engaged for further service, for ten years, and to complete pension; and also re-engagements of men who had left the service; the total and the estimated balance of men who took their discharge (in con MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN, in reply, said, there was no objection to the production of the Return asked for, if the right hon. and gallant Member would move for it. CUSTOMS CONSOLIDATION ACT, 1876— "IRISH NATIONAL LAND LEAGUE FLOUR"-SEIZURE AT LIVERPOOL. MR. SEXTON asked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether on the 29th ult. at Liverpool, 300 bags of flour, the property of P. Barrett and Co. of Carrickshannon, were seized and detained by the officers of Customs; whether the cause alleged for such action was that the bags were branded "Irish National Land League Flour;" whether bags similarly branded have always hitherto been allowed to pass; and, whether the bags in question will be now delivered to the owners? As the MR. COURTNEY: Sir, on July 28, 300 sacks of wheaten flour arriving from Boston were detained by the officers of Customs at Liverpool. This action was taken under the 42nd section of the Customs Consolidation Act, 1876, because the brand purports to be that "of a real or fictitious manufacturer in the United Kingdom." There was nothing unusual in the action taken. Question has been put without Notice, I have been unable to learn whether goods similarly marked have been delivered on any former occasion. No application had, up to last night, been made for their release. Upon such application being made by the consignee. the goods would probably be released upon marks being added to show that they were of foreign manufacture; but I must not be understood to fetter the action of the Customs in any way until the circumstances are before me in a complete form. CYPRUS (FINANCE). MR. ARTHUR ARNOLD asked, Whether, on the Civil Service Supplementary Estimates, the Government mean to take £90,000 as the Estimate for Cyprus; and, if so, why it has been so long delayed? MR. COURTNEY, in reply, said, the Estimate for the Island of Cyprus had been delayed, in order to arrive at a very exact estimate of the sum that would be required; but the difficulty experienced in ascertaining that precise amount was so great that he had now resolved that it should be delayed no longer. The Government had therefore put down £90,000 as the approximate sum required. until we see what is to be done with other Bills on the Paper to-day. These are the Turnpike Roads (South Wales) Bill, Isle of Man Officers Bill, Government Annuities and Assurance Bill, Royal Irish Constabulary Bill, Entail (Scotland) Bill, Artizans Dwellings Bill, Pensions Commutation Bill, Supreme Court of Judicature Amendment Bill, AGRICULTURAL LABOURERS OF IRE- and the Lunacy Regulation Amend LAND-A ROYAL COMMISSION. ment Bill. These are the Bills that will stand for consideration to-morrow, un less anything should arise in the proceedings to-night to make another course MR. JUSTIN M'CARTHY asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether he will take any steps this Session for the appointment of a Royal Commission to MR. J. LOWTHER: Any other Busiinquire into the condition of the Agri-ness besides these Bills? cultural Labourers of Ireland? desirable. MR. GLADSTONE: No other Busi ness. In answer to Sir WALTER B. BART- Estimates would be taken on Monday MR. GLADSTONE: Sir, Her Majesty's Government, as at present advised, are not under the impression that there are any facts in respect to the agricultural labourers of Ireland which are not sufficiently in their possession already, and consequently we shall not issue a Royal Commission to inquire into PASSENGER ACTS - ROYAL NETHERthe condition of the agricultural labourers. PARLIAMENT-BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE-A SATURDAY SITTING. MR. J. LOWTHER asked the Prime Minister, Whether the House would sit to-morrow (Saturday), and, if so, what business would be taken? next. LANDS STEAMSHIP COMPANY-ILL TREATMENT OF EMIGRANTS. MR. MOORE asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether he has received the official Report of the investigations held at New York, confirming the shocking statements made regarding the treatment of emigrants on the "Nemesis," chartered by the Royal Netherlands Steamship Company; whether this Company is the same as the "Crown Line " for which passengers were being booked from London every week; and, whether he will lay this Report upon the Table ? MR. MARJORIBANKS said, he desired to plead with the Prime Minister as to whether, seeing that the Entail (Scotland) Bill had passed through the House of Lords, that it had already passed through two stages in this House, and that it was the only crumb of com- MR. CHAMBERLAIN: Sir, I have fort that Scotch occupiers of land, whe- received a copy of a report of one of the ther landlords or tenants, were likely Emigration Commissioners at New York to get this Session, if it was impossible which contains statements made by to bring it on to-night, it would be pos-immigrants, passengers in the ships sible to give that Bill the first place to morrow? Nemesis and Surrey, chartered by the Company referred to in the Question, MR. GLADSTONE: Sir, if I were to alleging that, as regards the Nemesis, do so, I am afraid some English Mem- there were 12 or 13 deaths from measles bers would rise and complain that Scot- and diarrhoea among the children, that land has had such a very large propor- the water was bad, the vessel overtion of the legislation of the present crowded, and that some of the officers year-that is to say, that out of three misconducted themselves. These stateBills, we intend to pass two belonging to ments were, however, ex parte, and the Scotland-and perhaps the claim might master and officers were not present, and not seem to be so strong. However, we had no opportunity of being heard. shall do the best we can with respect to Neither of these ships carried English this Bill; but it is impossible at the passengers, and as they sailed under the present moment to come to any decision | Netherlands flag and between RotterMr. Courtney FISHERIES (IRELAND)-EMPLOYMENT MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR asked dam and New York and do not call at any British port, the Board of Trade have no control over them. The responsibility rests entirely with the Government of the United States and the Ne- the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutherlands, and under these circumstances I do not feel justified in laying Papers on the Table. The "Crown Line" and the Royal Netherlands Steamship Company are identical. ARMY (AUXILIARY FORCES)-CALLING OUT THE FIRST CLASS ARMY RE- SIR HENRY FLETCHER asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether he is satisfied with the results of Her Majesty's Proclamation calling out the First Class of the Army Reserves ? MR. CHILDERS: Sir, I am happy to be able to tell the hon. and gallant Baronet that the Returns up to the present time are quite satisfactory. Some have not yet come in; but those which have been received, I confess, surprise me, considering the very short notice the men had. PREVENTION OF CRIME (IRELAND) ACT-THE ALIEN CLAUSES. MR. SALT (for Mr. TOTTENHAM) asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If he will state, for the information of the House, whether any steps have been taken against individuals under the Alien Clauses of the Prevention of Crime (Ireland) Act; and in what number of instances information has been laid that it is expedient to remove from the Realm any alien or aliens under the provisions of the said Act? SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT: Sir, no action has yet been taken upon those clauses. EGYPT-COMMUNICATION WITH ARABI PASHA. SIR WALTER B. BARTTELOT asked the Prime Minister, Whether means have been taken to prevent private communication between any one in this country and Arabi Pasha? He had put the Question on Tuesday, and the Prime Minister had then said that he would be prepared to answer it in a day or two. If the right hon. Gentleman was not prepared to do so now, he would put it on the Paper. MR. GLADSTONE: That will be the better way. tenant of Ireland, Whether His Excellency proposes to act upon the recommendations of the Inspectors of Irish Fisheries, and apply to the Treasury or Admiralty for a vessel to protect and assist the Fishing Industries off the Irish Coasts? MR. TREVELYAN: Sir, I will look into this matter and see whether the application is one which ought to be recommended to the favourable consideration of the Treasury. Under present arrangements, vessels such as gunboats are not infrequently lent to the Irish Government by the Admiralty for short periods during the fishery season, when they are required for the protection of the fisheries. And I imagine that if the Inspectors of Fisheries will show sufficient cause, a surveying vessel would be told off, as I think is done in Scotland, to take soundings at a time when it could be spared from general duties. THE ROYAL IRISH CONSTABULARY- MR. CALLAN: I have to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland a Question of which I have Notice, and it is, Whether he will innot had the opportunity of giving him the statement which have appeared in form the House as to the exactness of the public Press, or the correctness of a telegram received by many hon. Memthat a strike of police has commenced in bers of this House last night-namely, Limerick, and is extending to an alarming extent over many other parts of Ireland; and, whether the official information the right hon. Gentleman has on the subject shows that this alarming movement is owing to the arbitrary and despotic conduct of Mr. Clifford Lloyd? MR. TREVELYAN: Sir, this is a sort of Question of which I should desire to have had Notice, even though it was only a few minutes; but for certain reasons, I am desirous now of saying a word about the matter without Notice. The reports in the newspapers have been extraordinarily exaggerated, and that from causes which, I think we may guess, lie outside the Police Force altogether. In saying that, I do not wish to be under and were resolved to a man to demand an increase of pay and equalization of pensions, and that a Memorial to that effect was being sent in to the Government. I have also received a letter from the county of Louth, and others from Meath, fully bearing out the information which has been conveyed; and, without any disrespect to the right hon. Gentleman the Chief Secretary for Ireland, I may tell him that the members of the R. I. C. would much rather trust me with their names and complaints than they would him. If they had sent their names to the telegraph office, these names would have been immediately placed before the Inspector General, who would reduce and punish them for com stood as casting any imputation upon the hon. Member opposite (Mr. Callan); but telegrams have been received by a distinguished Member on the other side, by the Prime Minister, and I myself received a telegram last evening, which, I believe, is word for word the same as that received by the right hon. Gentleman on the Opposition side of the House. This telegram placed the case in the most alarming colours, and when I received it I must own it filled me with considerable apprehension; but on looking to see from what quarter it came, appearances were altered, for I found that there was no name, but simply the initials, "R. I. C.," which I take evidently to mean the Royal Irish Constabulary. I may say that I have had very minute and accurate ac-plaining to a Member of this House. counts of what is passing and what has passed sent to me, and especially during the last three or four days; and from these I am able to say that hitherto nothing has occurred but what is consistent with the good order and discipline of a most loyal Force, as I believe this to be. The Force is in the very best order; and there is no more loyal Force of Constabulary in the Kingdom. I am in possession of letters from all persons concerned-from the Lord Lieutenant, the Under Secretary, and the Inspector General of the Police, which make me quite satisfied that the affair is being dealt with in a manner which authorizes me to say that the authorities are worthy to command a Force of this kind. MR. CALLAN: I received last night from the "R. I. C.," that is, the R.I.C. of Cork City-[" Order, order!"] To put myself in Order, I will conclude with a Motion. ["Order, order!"] MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member cannot debate this matter. Any Question he desires to put on the same subject, the hon. Member is entitled to ask. MR. CALLAN: I will read the telegram, and ask a Question, and, if necessary, I will conclude with a Motion. Late last night I received a telegram, and, no doubt, the reason that the sender's name is not given Therefore, they would sooner trust me. I will show the right hon. Gentleman the letters, without the names, and in private, if he desires it, with the view of verifying what I state. It is a fact that this movement is extending, and has extended; and whether it is true or false, I know not, but the main cause alleged is the arbitrary conduct of these extraordinary Resident Magistrates, who order them about throughout the country, for which they receive no compensation or extra pay of any kind. I see the Secre tary of State for the Home Department is suggesting some matter to the Chief Secretary for Ireland. ["Order, order!"] MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member, I am bound to say, is quite out of Order in the observation he has now made. In the Orders of the Day there is a Bill relating to the pay of the Royal Irish Constabulary, and it is out of Order to anticipate the discussion of it. MR. CALLAN: I do not. ["Order!"] MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member cannot proceed. MR. CALLAN: You order-["Order, order!"] MR. SPEAKER: I have already warned the hon. Member that he cannot proceed with the matter. MR. CALLAN: I do not intend to proceed; I only wish to refer to the MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member arbitrary conduct of the magistrates cannot debate this matter. -["Order, order!"] MR. CALLAN: I will conclude with a Motion for the Adjournment of the House, and give the reasons why I do So. Last night I received a telegram from Cork City, stating that the men of that city and county would meet to-day, Mr. Trevelyan Mr. SPEAKER called upon Mr. O'SHEA. POOR LAW (ENGLAND)-PROSELYTISM IN A WORKHOUSE SCHOOL. MR. O'SHEA asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether PASSENGER ACTS-EMIGRANT SHIPS. he has caused inquiry to be made into the statement of a Member of the House to the effect that four children have recently been flogged in a school within jurisdiction of the Board for refusing to conform to a religion different from that professed by their parents? MR. DODSON: Sir, as no clue has been afforded as to the name of the school in question, and as there are several hundred such schools in the Kingdom, I could scarcely be expected to answer the inquiry. When the hon. Member mentions the name of the school, I will ascertain the truth of the RESOLUTION. MR. MOORE, in rising to draw attention to the state of the law regarding emigrants; and to move-"That in the opinion of this House, the Passenger Acts require revision and reform," said, he felt bound to congratulate the Board of Trade on the fact that, owing to the labours of the Select Committee of last year, considerable improvements had been made since last year, when many complaints had been made as to defective passenger accommodation. Very desirable changes had been made in this respect by most of the great Steamship Companies whose boats ran between Liverpool and New York; and one line in particular-the White Star-had made great strides in the right direction, and was being followed in the way of improvement by the National and Allan Lines; but these improvements did not, state of the law, Much had also been of course, alter the very unsatisfactory done for Irish emigrants by Miss O'Brien, who had opened a home for them at Queenstown, and had inspected many of the vessels. But neither the efforts of the benevolent, nor the improved condition of emigration introduced by the Steamship Companies, would be wholly effectual as long as the law remained unaltered. In spite of all that had been done, as many as 200 complaints of overcrowding had been received within the last two years in the case of vessels arriving at New York; and he had the authority of Miss O'Brien, who had taken great interest in this matter, for saying that, in these cases, no woman could keep her character above reproach in one of these crowded voyages. Beyond that, the state of things that occasionally prevailed on board emigrant ships might be gathered from the report issued officially from Castle Garden, New York, of what had occurred on one of the best steamers between that port and Liverpool. The New York officials said, with reference to this vessel, that they had carefully inquired into the facts of the case, and found that the bread supplied to the emigrants was sour, that the potatoes were not good, that the sleeping accommodation was promiscuous, and that the conduct of the chief steward was reprehensible. In fact, the circumstances made public in this case fully |