We have stated elsewhere our reasons for regretting the course
taken by the Government, and can only say here that no question of doing anything contrary to Roman Catholic feeling was involved. The convents objected to inspection because it would interfere with the discipline of the laundries, and not because it would violate their seclusion. They objected, that is, rather as employers than as religious bodies. In the debate on the withdrawal of the clause a good deal of heat was developed between the Liberals and the Nationalists, and the strange spectacle was witnessed of Mr. Asquith appealing to the Government not to surrender to the Irish party, and of Mr. Dillon defending the Government against the attacks of their own supporters. Unless we are mistaken, the quarrel between the Liberals and the Nationalists may have far- reaching results. The Liberals, in their hearts, will not be sorry to lose thirty-four Irish Members with whose political ideas they are, except as regards the dissolution of the legis- lative Union, almost entirely out of sympathy.
Previous page
