The Sun.
London, England, 1844-05-11 00:00:00

recommended that several harbours of refuge should be
constructed in Ireland, by which means extensive em-
ployment would be given to the people. At the time
of the Union the sum of 500,0001. was placed in the
hands of a Committee, for the purpose of promoting inland
navigation. Two canals were constructed with this mo-
ney, one of which became insolvent shortly after its
construction, and in the other the value of the stock fell
from 110 to 5. The Commissioners of Public Works
in Ireland had at present no money in hand to carry
on the projects of improvement which had been set on
foot. The harbour of Kingstown, which was a very va-
luable one, was commenced thirty years ago, and it was
not yet finished. The cost of this valuable work
was 700,0001, and at present the Commissioners
for carrying it on had but about 8,0001. in their
hands. Endeavours had been made to improve the na-
vigation of the Shannon, but that river was found to be
very difficult of improvement. All the projects which
he had mentioned had been set on foot for the purpose
of employing the labouring people of Ireland, and yet at
the present day there were more beggars in that coun-
try than there ever were ; and he thought that some
steps ougbt to be taken to ascertain the cause of this,
and if possible to remedy the evil. All that the people
of Ireland wanted was employment. He believed that
the want of employment arose in a great measure from
absenteeism. There were ample means in Ireland of
giving the people employment. That employment could
be found by an extensive system of drainage of the bogs,
which would amply repay the outlay and the labour.
He had known land which had originallysold at a penny
an acre realise a pound sterling per year. He trusted
their Lordships would agree to this motion.
The Duke of WELLINGTON, in opposing the mo-
tion, reminded :their Lordships that the Commission,
which was at present sitting, at; whose head was his
Noble Friend (the Earl of Devon), had taken this very
subject into their consideration. The Noble Lord evi-
dently wished that a sum of money should be granted
for.the purpose of improving the soil of Ireland. But
their Lordships would remember that to do this would
require between five and ten millions sterling. Already
as much as 906,0001. had been advanced for the improve-
ment of Ireland, and for the year as much as 6,0001.
bad been voted for this purpose. He would remind the
Noble Lord opposite that very extensive works were
going on at present in Ireland. There was a railway
in course of construction from Dublin to Cashel, and
one from Cashel to Cork. Two years ago a Bill passed
Parliament providing for the proper drainage of Ireland,
and the Commission appointed under that Bill was still
in existence. Money had been granted, and was still
being granted, for this purpose, and he thought this was
proof that Parliament was not inattentive to the wants
of Ireland. Under these circumstances he did not think
it would be well to agree to the motion of the Noble
Lord. _ _ _

The Marquis of CLANRICARDE was glad to hear
that a sum of money had been voted for the improve-
ment of Ireland. He was, however, surprised to hear
that the Landlord and Tenant Commission had been
appointed to inquire into the means of improving Ire-
land. He had never heard this before. With respect to
the means of improving that country, he knew that there
were works which might be commenced in Ireland, the
construction of which would not cost the public a single
shilling, inasmuch as the works, when completed, would
return at least six per cent. on the capital expended.
The Earl of DEVON said, that although he could not
support the motion, yet he was not sorry that the subject
had been brought forward, for he thought it was
one that could not be too often brought under their con-
sideration. He admitted that employment was greatly
needed tby the people of Ireland, but he did not think
that such a Committee as that which had been moved
for could remedy the evil complained if. He thought it
would be better for their Lordships to wait until the
report of the Landlord and Tenant Commission was be-
fore Parliament, as he had no doubt that many sugges-
tions would appear therein, which their Lordships would
think worthy of being acted upon.
The Marquis of NORMANBY rose to suggest that
as there had been some mistinderstandingwith respect to
this question, whether it would not be better for the
Noble Lord to withdraw the motion which he had made,
particularly as the report of the Noble Lord opposite
(Devon) from the Landlord and Tenant Commission had
not been made to the House. Under these circum-
stances he did not think that this was the proper time to
press the motion.
Lord CLONCURRY said that after what had fallen
from his Noble Friend, he would withdraw his motion.
The House then adjourned at a Quarter past Eight.