The amendment to the Address calling attention to the increase
of lawlessness in Ireland and the ineffectual policy of the Government was moved in the Commons on Tuesday by Lord Percy. After dwelling on the rapid increase of crime in the last three years, Lord Percy noted that no proceedings had been taken in 597 out of 681 cases of cattle-driving. Again, out of 1,027 persons brought before the Magistrates, only 116 were at present suffering any inconvenience whatever, and they had gone to prison, not because they had been sentenced, but because they refused to give an undertaking that they would not break the law. Mr. Birrell's reply, which lasted a full hour, was, if unconvincing, at least =disfigured by levity. He read out the police reports received from every county in Ireland, and while admitting that some gave cause for anxiety,. contended that they were not typical of the whole country. Comparing the state of Ireland with what it was in 1886, he maintained that crime had greatly diminished, and though condemning cattle-driving as a "grievous, reprehensible, and highly stupid" offence, and boycotting as "the most unsocial, inhuman, un-Christian thing I can imagine," declared that he did not consider himself justified in putting the Crimes Act in force unless he had facts and figures which would warrant his coming to the House and asking for exceptional powers.
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