Sir Michael Hicks-Beach announced on Wednesday, somewhat to the surprise
of the House, that the Government intended to accept the previous vote of the House on Mr. Smyth's Bill for the restriction in Ireland of the sale of liquor on Sundays, as a proof that the House considered further restrictions advisable. They would not, therefore, resist the Bill, but only propose certain amendments in Committee. Much must depend on the form of these amendments, but, as Mr. Gladstone observed, while strongly supporting the measure, the Government has yielded so much that its amendments will be entitled to favourable consideration. Severe/ speakers followed, especially Major O'Gorman, who endea- voured to show that the people of Ireland did not care for the Bill; but that argument is disposed of by the fact that Members certainly do not care for it, and yet wish it carried. They can only vote for it in obedience to their constituents. The Bill is not an im- portant one, not going so far as the Forbes Mackenzie Act in Scotland, but as we have argued elsewhere, its acceptance is a proper concession to Irish local feeling. Why on earth should we fight Irishmen for liking to be sober on Sunday ?
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