As to the Crimes Act, the Chancellor of the Exchequer
declared that the Government feel the greatest possible aversion to exceptional legislation of this kind, and hold that "even when requisite, such legislation is to some extent an evil in itself, for it undoubtedly fosters among the people who are subject to it a feeling of disaffection." The Government did not think there was sufficient occasion to ask for even a partial renewal of the Crimes Act; and Sir Michael added, with visible self-satisfaction, that they held the change of Government to have been "not unaccompanied by certain symptoms in Ireland, pervading all classes, of a better feeling." Further, Sir Michael declared that the Government intend to pass the Bill which will sus- pend the disfranchisement of electors who have received medical relief, and to pass certain important portions of the Criminal Law Amendment Bill, but that they could not hope to take up the Crofters' Bill in the present Parliament.
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