There was a debate on Wednesday on Mr. Lea's Intoxicating
Liquors (Ireland) Bill, in which, for a wonder, Sir G. Trevelyan and Mr. Balfour were both found on the same side as sup- porters of the Bill, which closes public-houses on Sunday except to bong fide travellers, and closes them at 9 on Satur- day evening, while both sections of the Irish Home-rule Party fought (as usual) for the licensed victuallers, Mr. Parnell praising Mr. Sexton just as Sir W. Harcourt praised Mr. Balfour. The second reading was carried by 248 against 94; but the chief incident of the debate was Mr. Maurice Healy's speech. He rose immediately after Mr. Parnell, and, without supporting the Bill, declared that he did not intend to assist
its opponents. " I only rise for the purpose of assuring the House that neither on this nor on any other public question does the honourable gentleman who has just sat down repre- sent the City of Cork. If the honourable gentleman wishes to test the truth of my words, let him keep the promise which he made to his constituents." That was a well-deserved home- thrust, and of course the cheers of the Opposition were loud and long.
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