On the Government side, the debate was continued by Mr.
Atherley-Jones, who, though he supported the Bill generally, declared that we might as well import into this House eighty French Deputies, or eighty Members of the Reichsra,th, as permit eighty Irish Members to have control over our affairs, and to participate in our domestic legislation." From Mr. Labouchere's speech, it was evident that the Government had found means to conciliate a Member who at one time seemed likely to lead a party of malcontents. "The Bill was in the main," he said, "a thoroughly good Bill." He would prefer the exclusion of the Irish Members, but he should on this, as on other points, accept the decision arrived at in Committee. Mr. Campbell-Bannerman, who wound up Thursday's debate on behalf of the Government, made a singularly ineffective and laborious speech. "We are con- fident that the more it is criticised and discussed, the more will the main features of the scheme commend themselves to the common-sense of the country." That was about the level of argument reached by the Secretary for War.
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