On Monday night, the debate on the Address actually came
to an end within the fortnight,—a great improvement on the precedents of recent Sessions. Unfortunately, however, the debate on the Commission Report, which is to begin on Mon- day, but is to be interrupted on Tuesday for Supply, still blocks the way of Government measures. And it is feared that this debate will be one of great violence as well as of con- siderable length. The last night of debate on the Queen's Speech was occupied first by a three hours' discussion on a motion of Mr. Sexton's for adjournment in order to discuss the arrest of a number of persons in Ireland for wilfully dis- obeying a precept issued by Colonel Forbes, and then by an attack by Mr. A. Thomas on the administration of the law in Wales, which was made subservient to a motion for the creation of a separate and independent department of the State for Wales. This ridiculous amendment was withdrawn, and then arose a discussion, initiated by Mr. Cunninghame Graham, on the International Labour Conference at Berlin, which elicited a very powerful speech from Mr. Bradlaugh against any sort of interference with adult labour. The amendment of Mr. Graham was negatived by 198 against 87 votes, and the Address at last agreed to.
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