The Sun.
London, England, 1847-06-17 00:00:00

ment should have come b some other conclusion than
that they did not despair that something I
might yet be done t compensate tenants. He
did not know whether he result of the late Lord
Besborough's inquiries upna the subject were in the pos-
session of the Governmeit; if they were, he thought
that that attention and coisideration ought to be given
to them which had been iccorded by all other parties
conversant with the subjct. He hoped that the Go-
vernment would not allowa fortnight of another session
to pass without bringint. forward some more per-
fect system of legislation upon this subject. He
hoped that no distinctien of party or religion
would be permitted to interfere indirectly in this
question, but that ;t be a comprehensive
scheme which would con-pletely remedy the existing
state of things. Under the present system the abuses 1
which existed, so far from growing better, gravitated
from bad to worse ; and it was quite time that a check
should be given to these growing evils. With regard to
the present measure before the House, there were some
difficulties with respect to ;he details, but he hoped that
it would be applicable w•sh some degree of benefit to
Ireland, and in that hop( be should support the second
reading of the Bill.
Mr. TRELAWNY said that, in his opinion this Bill
was a palpable delusion to the people of Ireland, and
contained promises which could never bo realised. In
the first instance two of tie assertions it contained were
quite incorrect. One of these allegations was that
the tenant was unjustly liable to ejection without any
compensation being given .or any improvements he might
have made in the land. Trey made their bargain with
their eyes open ; so that under any other system they
would be liable to the same nconvenience. If the principal
ground upon which the Bii was introduced was false, of
what use would the Bill be? It would not, he believed,
be productive of harm, but it would not lead to any
good, and would thus crate a strong feeling of dis-
appointment; and he, ther fore, gave his strongest oppo-
sition to the second readirg of the Bill.
Sir H. W. BARRON sail that, in his opinion, a measure
of this description had long been called for by the con-
dition of Ireland, and ty the condition of the poor
agrieultural classes, who •ere unable properly to defend
their rights. It would have the effect of stimu-
lating them to improve their laud, by giving them
proper security that ttey would be enabled to
enjoy those improvements which they had created.
It was all very well to come down there and make elec-
tioneering speeches on the eve of a new Parliament ;
but it was no answer to the responsibilities which they
had to fulfil to meet this Bill without being pledged to
its details, to negative its principle altogether. It was all
very fine to make such speeches in order to suit par-
ticular purposes, and it might do very well for the news-
papers to make such statements as those to which they
had lately listened to. And it must be recollected that fine
promises in the county of Cork were but badly re-
deemed by small performances on the banks of the
Thames—(Laughter)—and if these promises were made
with a view to prospective advantage, he could
assure the Hon. Members who had opposed the
second reading that that line of conduct would not
answer their purpose. Yet, in giving his assent to the
second reading of this Bill, he did not intend to pledge
himself to the whole of its details. He had not
been a Member of that House for sixteen years
without being conscious that by giving his adhesion
to a Bill, he was in no way prevented from totally alter-
ing its character by a change of the details. To many
of the details of this Bill be had great and serious ob-
jections, but to the principle he was entirely friendly.
That principle he would support to the utmost of his
power, but at the same time he would not disguise his
desire that it should be greatly modified in Committee.
Mr. YOUNG thought that the objections which had
been urged against the Bill had all been founded in
misapprehension, and were likely to work a great mis-
chief. He believed that the sixth as well as eleventh
clause had been totally misunderstood. He considered
that tenants should receive fair compensation for the
improvements which they had effected. Nine-tenths of
the land in Ireland had changed hands in the last few
years, and if the improvements made by a tenant were to
constitute a permanent charge upon the rent, the new
proprietors would be saddled with charges of which they
knew nothing, and which it would be unfair to call upon
them to pay. The moment there was a demand for labour
tenant-right would vanish. In Armagh, Meath, and in
some other counties, tenant-right did not exist. No one in
England ever heard of a landlord being called upon to
erect cottages and to plant trees every four or
fivo acres. Why, no amount of capital would
effect this. He believed, therefore, that the Bill
was based upon fallacious principles, and that it would
do injury instead of good. The Hon. Gentleman the
Member for Rochdale bad laid great stress upon the
ejectments which continually took place in Ireland, but
he did not enter into the circumstances under which
they were made. Persons were proceeded against
by ejectment in Ireland, not really for the purpose of
ejecting them from their holdings, but for the purpose of
compelling them to make some arrangement for
the payment of their rent, because many of them
are in arrears from nine to eighteen months—
in fact, the arrears of rent were so great
that the amount would scarcely be credited in England.
He believed that the landlords of Ireland were desirous
of doing their duty, that had been amply shown during
the present session ; still he was prepared to admit that
the landlords of Ireland, especially the absentee, had
neglected the duty.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. LEFROY said he thought her Majesty's Govern-
ment had taken a most;proper course ; and he thought,
in opposing them, they would not be doing any benefit to
Ireland. If any measure could be introduced that would
have the effect of improving the relations between landlord
and tenant in Ireland it would be very desirable, but
he thought by adopting the course recommended by
some Hon. Members they would be holding out hopes
to the tenants in Ireland which they might sub-
sequently not realise. He himself had joined what
was called the Irish Party, but without any factious
views, and he had supported measures which he consi-
dered to be of benefit to the country, without reference
to party. He thought the Government were right in
the coarse they had adopted, and he would therefore give
them his support.
Mr. ROSS said he did not think it was right
that this Bill should go through its second
reading, and lie thought those who censured the
Government fur not carrying their Bill this
session were guilty of great injustice. The persons
whom he would wish to compensate in Ireland were
those who were tenants-at-will, which would have the
effect of inducing these tenants to make improvements,
which they would not otherwise be induced to do.
Mr. M'CARTHY said that every gentleman who had
spoken on this question had admitted that something
ought to be done for the improvement of the relation
between landlord and :tenant in Ireland. The next
objection of the Solicitor-General was that the
compensation was not to be given till the termination of
the tenancy. He would ask, was net that the proper
time for the compensation? A further objection of the
Learned Solicitor was that the arbitration would be ex-
pensive, but he (Mr. McCarthy) did not think that
this would be the case if lawyers were not employed.
He would not detain the House further, as it seemed
impatient for the division, but would record his vote in
favour of the measure of the Hon. Memher for Roch-
dale.

Mr. P. SCROPE thought this a most important ques-
tion, and the sooner a different system of tenure was
established in Ireland than that which at present ex-
isted the better would it be for the peace and
welfare of that country. Many might refrain
from supporting this measure from an apprehension
that a similar measure would be brought forward
for England, but he did not think the circumstances of
the two countries were analogous, and that a different
course of legislation would be neces!ary for Ireland.—
(Cries of " Divide, divide.")
The House then divided, when the numbers were—
For the second. reading 25
Against it
Majority against the Bill