The Sun.
London, England, 1849-03-03 00:00:00

ebeLi ningrnt

LONDON, SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 1849.

The question of the " rate in aid" was fairly
brought before the house of Commons last night by
the Premier, in a speech of great clearness and ability,
in which he not only adduced the strongest arguments
in support of the proposition then before the House,
but indicated the general character of the Ministerial
policy with respect to the Irish poor-law. The pre-
sent resolution made no reference to the question of a
maximum rate. On that point it appears the Com-
mittee desired further information, and wished that
evidence should be taken, more especially with regard
to the amount which it was expedient to propose.
Under such circumstances the Government consented
for the present to postpone their proposition, so far
as it related to the maximum rate, and to take the
opinion of the Committee as to the expediency of
a rate in aid. On this point a resolution was
adopted by a large majority, which was last night
brought under the consideration of the House. It
was as follows :—" That in each of the next two years
there shall be paid by every union in Ireland a sum
equal to a rate of sixpence in the pound, on each
electoral division in such union, towards a general
fund, for the relief of the poor in Ireland. That the
said sum shall be paid to a separate amount
at the Bank of Ireland in the name of the Paymaster
of Civil Salaries in Ireland, and shall be applied in
such manner as Parliament shall direct."
By sanctioning such a resolution the Committee
manifestly recognised the principle of a maximum
rate, although the exact amount at which it should
be fiard either for the electoral division or the union
at largo remained over for further consideration.
There could be no necessity for a rate in aid un-
less there wee to be some limitation to the liability in
particular districts. It is a matter of the utmost im-
portance that the amount should be settled with all
convenient speed, and before the season for
putting in the crops has elapsed. At present a very
general fear appears to exist in the thirty-0/1e unions
that may par excellence be termed " the distressed
districts," of the possiile changes that may be imposed
for the relief of the destitute poor. Owners and occu-
piers of land consider it by no means improbable that
the entire proceeds of labour and capital may be re-
quired for the purpose, and that they may be altoge-
ther deprived of the rewards of industry. Under
such circumstances it is by no means astonishing that
lands should be suffered to lie waste and uncul•
tlivadted ; that farmers should be unwilling to rent
remainings
those offered for sale ; that there should be a great
diminution, indeed almost a suspension of employ-
ment, at a time when the greatest
of activity is pecu-
liarly desirable. A settlement tion. he question will,
however, effect a material alterat
Parties will
know that there is a certain extent b e o
they cannot be charged—a certain peopoy which
portion
of the
produce must at last remain applicable to their
patient industry the charge
may own
e
purposes. By
mitigated, but it cannot by any possibility be increased,
however negligent or apathetic their neighbours may
be. The required stimulant will thus be afforded,
improvements will be encouraged, and one great
source of the existing evil will be removed. We are
ourselves the most strenuous advocates for a national
6,4tektiewn2ral equalization of the charge, by
snare poverty of the country shall be a
charge
on its entire property of every description, not
only real brrt personal, and where all persons able to
K.,410 i 0 lbttil coafribute is pro h •
Pod• ion to t means

S

~"~i

N. I),