The Budget debate was closed on Thursday by a division
ominous for the Government in no ordinary degree. Their majority in a full House was only 38—it was supposed that at the worst it would not be below 50-265 voting for the amendment and 303 against. It should be noted that at no time during its career has the Government majority—except in the case of a snap vote—fallen so low. Undoubtedly the division marks the beginning of the end, though the actual catastrophe may be some time coming. The analysis of the voting shows that 70 Nationalists but only two Labour Mem- bers supported the Governtnent. On the other hand, seven O'Brienites and one Liberal (Sir Luke White) went into the Opposition lobby. Thirty-five Labour Members abstained. The announcement of the figures caused a great deal of excitement, and at one time it was feared that fierce recrimina- tions between the two sections of the Irish Party might bring them to actual blows. A voice "nicked" the situation thus created with 'the lucky word "—" The Home Rule _Parliament.'
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