On Wednesday Mr. Swift MacNeill's amendment calling for the abolition
of flogging in the Navy was withdrawn after Mr. Robertson had read the new Admiralty circular ordering that the punishment should be suspended. Colonel Sa,underson moved an amendment expressing misgiving at the prospect of changes in the government in Ireland, to which, after speeches from Ulster and Nationalist Members, Mr. Bryce replied at length. The new Chief Secretary contended that every one now admitted that changes in the government of Ireland were needed. He could not see how members of the late Govern- ment could possibly vote for the amendment, in view of their own conduct in regard to local government and land legislation, the utterances of their own Viceroy, and the Wyndham- MacDonnell episode. He was not prepared to give details as to the pioposed changes, but considering the tranquillity of Ireland, and the spirit of conciliation that was abroad, he held that they were bound to seize the opportunity to advance fearlessly on the path of administrative reform. Mr. Walter Long, who followed, complained of the peculiar vagueness of the paragraph in the King's Speech, and the failure of Mr- Bryce to allay the misgivings which it had excited, His speech, if it meant anything, meant that the new policy would lead to Home-rule. Mr. Dillon congratulated the Irish Secretary on his "great and honest" speech, and after Mr. Chamberlain had declared that the Government bad been proved that night to be a Home-rule Government, a disision was taken, in which the amendment was rejected by 406 votes to 88, or a majority of 318.
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