Lord Harlington spoke in favour of the Ballot for Ireland,
declaring his belief that in many places it would set the electors free to support the Government, and that even if Ireland sent up a united " Home-Rule " party, it would be well for Ireland to speak its mind freely, and to learn the absolute impossibility of any dissolution of the Union. Mr. Platt (M.P. for Oldham) advo- cated the Ballot as a remedy for the terrorism of the violent Unionists; Mr. R. Torrens (Cambridge) illustrated its conserva- tive tendencies by his own election under it, at the top of the poll, iu Adelaide, South Australia, at a time when he believed that in any open-voting election he could not have been elected at all, because he was not radical enough ; Dr. Ball was somewhat dull and historical against it ; and Mr. Maguire closed the debate by pleading warmly for it for Ireland, and pledging himself that the principle of " Home'Rule," to which he gave in his adherence, does not mean dissolution of the Union or Disintegration of the Empire, to which he is as opposed as any one, but only efficient local government in relation to the class of affairs which are even now creating a regular dead-lock in Parliament. Ireland, said Mr. Maguire, whether under the secret or the open system, would certainly send up 50 members pledged to ' Home-Rule' at the next elections.
