Sir John Lubbock received yesterday week at the National Liberal
Club, a deputation from a small minority of his London University constituents who disapprove of his sup- port of the Irish policy of the Government. They were headed by Sir Henry Roscoe, 21.P., and Mr. Picton, M.P., who made the usual complaints of the Liberal Unionists for supporting "coercion." Sir Henry Roscoe was more com- plimentary to Sir John Lubbock personally than he was uncomplimentary to the policy which he supported ; but Mr. Pieton was more austere, and spoke of the coercion practised in Ireland as "barbarous." Sir John Lubbock's reply was courteous, but perfectly firm. He remarked on the relatively small numbers of the remonstrants ; observed that they took no notice of the Irish minority, which could not be put at less than a quarter of the Irish people, who warmly supported the Government policy ; and asked where was the " gagging " of which complaint was made, seeing that 103 Irish Members speak their minds in Parliament with great ability and at inordinate length, while London, with an equal population, sends up less than 70 representatives ; and seeing also that the Irish Press attack Mr. Balfour with the utmost vindictive- ness and are never prosecuted for doing so. The deputa- tion retired, having expressed their gratitude to Sir John for remarks which could hardly have given them pleasure,— unless it gave them pleasure to realise that they had made no impression, and that Sir John Lubbock is confident not only that he is right, but that the great majority of his University constituency heartily support him.
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