Mr. Redmond, who followed the Prime Minister, pointed to the
state of Ireland as the greatest disgrace and danger to the Empire, and the greatest obstacle to the efficiency of Parliament. He observed that while they took all that came their way in amelioration of the lot of the Irish people, the Irish question could never be finally or satisfactorily settled except by the concession to Ireland of a Parliament and an Executive responsible to it. He added that not only had no bargain been entered into with the Prime Minister, but that none had ever been thought of. The chief feature of Mr. Keir Hardie's speech was his unjust and bitter statement that the working classes had hitherto only been represented at second hand by men whose interests were diametrically opposed to theirs, which he further amplified by asserting that three sides of the House were under the control of, and tenanted by, men whose pocket interests were diametrically opposed to those of the working classes. Mr. Paul's contribution to the debate was a bundle of brilliant and witty epigrams, but was unhappily marred by its foolish acrimony. Tuesday's debate was chiefly remarkable for the excellent impression created by the speeches of two new Labour Members, Messrs. Walsh and Barnes, which contrasted most favourably with the un- compromising Ishmaelitism of Mr. Keir Hardie.
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