t beginnings of Home Rule Councils. Seven great provinces of India
have now each of them Legislative Councils of their own, and on nearly
all of these Councils the unofficial members are in the majority.[71]

The powers of these Legislative Councils are still very limited; but
who can doubt that they will increase?

We are, in other words, faced with the fact that while Ireland has been
waiting for Home Rule we have taken the first great step in granting
Home Rule to India. Surely this is a fact that presents a new challenge
to the reactionary Unionist of the United Kingdom. Does he really
contend that Ireland is incapable of receiving the same liberties as we
are granting to India? Or will he make the wicked and dangerous
suggestion that we are only conceding these things to India by force
from fear of disorder, and in that way threaten the happy peace of
Ireland?

Surely the concession of Home Rule to India removes the last vestige of
an Imperial argument against Home Rule for Ireland also!

* * * * *

Such are the results of a general survey at the present moment. They
show that in proposing Home Rule for Ireland we are not rowing against
the tide, but following the drift of a general law which is prevailing
all over the world.

* * * * *

FOOTNOTES:

[69] See Appendix K. This figure includes, of course, the Isle of Man
and the Channel Islands.

[70] See the Letters of Lord Aberdeen quoted by Mr. Gladstone.

[71] The Governors of Madras and Bombay and the five
Lieutenant-Governors each have Legislative Councils. Under the new
scheme the Legislative Councils of the provinces are constituted as
follows:--

Madras 48 members. 20 official. 26 unofficial. 2 experts.
Bombay 48 " 18 " 28 " 2 "
Bengal 51 " 18 " 31 " 2 "
United 49 " 21 " 26 " 2 "
Provinces
East Bengal 43 " 18 " 23 " 2 "
and Assam
Punjab 27 " 11 " 14 " 2 "
Burma 18 " 7 " 9 " 2 "

HOME RULE FINANCE

"You gave L20,000,000 to the negroes or to their masters. Will
you give L20,000,000 to the Irish?"

O'CONNELL

"The noble Lord, towards the conclusion of h