Mr. Parker Smith also proposed that a system of propor-
tional representation should bo applied to the Irish con- stituencies. He argued that though in England and Scotland the single-Member system brought about a sufficiently fair representation of the different parties, in Wales and Ireland it worked so as to over-represent the majority enormously. Mr. Gladstone refused to give his assent to the proposal. Parliament had once and for all decided against propor- tional representation. Besides, "this Bill ought not to be loaded and embarrassed with such speculative proposals." Mr. Courtney declared that the experience of the country since 1885 had shown the need for proportional representation. "Language as to the Unionists seeking to overload this Bill could only be used by any one who did not appreciate what were the true difficulties of the Irish problem. The painful and cruel characteristics of the situation in Ireland had more than once been referred to by the Chief Secretary, but the Prime Minister had never shown any suspicion of knowledge of those characteristics." The Prime Minister had never shown that he had sufficient acquaintance with Ireland to realise the existence of the two Irelands. Certainly, if propor- tional representation is necessary anywhere, it is in Ireland. We very much prefer the simpler plan of single-Member con- stituencies, but do not feel absolutely convinced that the abnormal condition of society in Ireland may not make it necessary to adopt there another, and what inlOreat Britain would be a worse, system.
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