The Sun.
London, England, 1847-05-10 00:00:00

WASTE LANDS IN IRELAND

TO THE RIGHT HON. SIR C. WOOD, BART., M.P.
Srp,—When I endeavoured to establish the expediency of
"reclaiming the waste lands in Ireland," as one of the very •
best modes that could be devised with the two-fold object of
employing the people and enabling the proprietors to meet
the pressure to which they will'most assuredly be subject for
some years, I most carefully abstained from depreciating any
other plan; because felt that such depreciation could not
prove that mine was proper to be adopted, and it appeared to
me clear that circumstances had arisen, and were likely to
continue, which would render it wise to adopt every retnet:y
which could bear the test of public discussion ; and although
I believe it was most unfortunate that Lord Morpeth's plan
respecting railroads in Ireland was not adopted, yet you
have forced upon me the necessity of comparing the plan I
proposed with that which you have asked Parliament to
sanction.
At first sight it appears strange that. when the end all par-
ties desire is the same, and the best means to be employed
is principally a question of figures, the difference of opinion
should be so wide. In the c;'se of the reclamation of waste
lands, I attribute this difference to that want of practical ex-
perience in agricultural affairs which was SD painfully exhi-
bited by the sarcasm of Sir Robert Peel, whose Taurine
liberality had led the public to believe he was a skilled prac-
titioner in Bucolic lore, and only waited his turn to be called
in to administer the proper remedy. He sneered at the
" reclamation of waste lands," as being the drainage of bogs,
thus proving his total ignorance of the subject, or, which I
should be sorry to impute to him, a wish to depreciate a saga-
cious plan because he had not brought it forward.
I take as correct your own estimate in the discussion on
Lord George Bentir.ck's motion, viz., that one quarter of the
sum actually expended upon a railroad is paid in wages to
the labouring class; and I ask for no deduction on the
ground that you are about to lend money to companies,
whose works being in a forward state, have probably laid
out a considerable portion of the quarter required for mere
labour, taking in round numbers the sum you propose to
lend at 600,000/. 150,000/. only would be employed in
labour, and 450,0001. in other objects.
By the reclamation of waste lands to the extent of
600,0001., every shilling of your outlay would have been
spent in labour; and reckoning the cost of reclamation to be
101. per acre, you would have an additional 60,000 acres
bearing corn next year. Can you doubt the advantages
such an expenditure would produce in a moral, a social, and
a political view. A week has hardly elapsed since you
ventured to appear in the character of a prophet of good;
the result has not been equal to your wishes. Try again.
What will be the condition of the Irish people during the
next winter with the best of harvests? While you are con•
sidering this important question, let me compare the plan
you have adopted with that which I proposed.
PLAN YOU HAVE ADOPTED. PLAN rsorosED.
600,0001. advanced ; 160,000/. 600,0001. ad vaneed ; every
spent in employing the people. shgillithe ng
peoexpe ended in employ-
ine.
The labourers thrown out of A perpetual demand for la-
employment when the works bour on 60,000 acres of land.
are finished.
None but the able-bodied,' Agricultural labour adapted
and even only the best of to the strength and sex of the
them, employed. people.
Next year a railroad party, Next year an addition of
I completed. 60,000 acres of land bearing

corn.

Profit to shareholders in use Profitable example to other
of stock. landlords and tenants.
Injustice practised to share-I Establishing many exam-
holders in other lines, unless pies of that useful distinction
similar advances are made between a tenant and a la-
under similar circumstances. bouring class, which every
person has declared to be one
thing needful.
Many—many other advantages will present themselves to
your mind ; but the plan would have been difficult otexecution
—difficult indeed I Why, it would be difficult to suggest one
more easy, unless difficulties had been purposely started
difficult indeed I—a bad excuse for any man, an unwise one
for a statesman. Your difficulties inhelr&larnydestb a.voe.
must
begun. However bounteous may
again feed the people ; and nallbnue tman probability con-
tinue to do so for some years' yet you have neglected the
only plan by which you could have. increased the quantity of
food, employed the people, and introduced a better system
in the social conditionor Ilandl have the honour to re,
ur most obedient servant,
13121111 3 o