Star.
London, England, 1828-06-06 00:00:00

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abstract, but Ireland was not the fit piali, ;Alder pre-
sent circumstances, for the application of genersil prin-
ciples of this kind. By small loans Rip Government,
encouragement mile he given to peons to embark
tbeff‘ckwit caphbl, .11-- wild and visionary specula-.
tions, but in such, as of
.ietet had tart carried on; in
Ireland, and turned nut very useful. He asked for De..
land only the seine degree et assistance and encourage-,
rotor which had been given to Scotland, where the best
effects had been produced by it. .A better spirit was
now growing 09- =Mg, die Irish landlords, and this
Was the moment when the assistance and encourage-
ment of Government would be most effectual. If the
people of Ireland had sufficient employment, they
would soon see the country happy and tranquil. The
want of employment, and not political disabilities, was
the/eel cause of the evils which afflicted the country.
He PM with pleasure that this subject had been dis-
tossed without any reference to party questions or poli-
tical differences. All seemed willing to unite cordially
in their eiettimas to.improve the condition of Ireland.
Mr. Sticieterf PEEL. said he trusted his Hon. Friend,
the Memberfor Armagh (Mr. Brownlow), would not
infer from his absence in the early part of this discussion
that he, felt any indifference to the objects of the Peti-
tion. The interview which he had previously had with
him on the subject must be quite sufficient to remove
any impression of that kind from his mind. Nothing
could be more desirable than that, while considering
nuestiims of real national utility like the present, there
should be a total oblivion for the time of all political
differences. It appeared to him that the application of
the public money to any plans.for the general improve-
talent of Ireland, was a thing which ought to be ap-
proached with great caution. If granted with a lavish
hand, the effect naturally was to encourage in the people
habits of dependence; and to teach them to depend
upon other sources of relief besides their own industry
and exertions. Itailso induced those who ought to be
their natural protectors, their own landlords, not to
assist by their contributions in the relief of any difficul-
ties that,might arise. However, he would admit that all
general doctrines of this kind were to be received with
qualifications. It could not be laid down as a general
principle, never to be departed from, that the public
money was not to be advanced ender any circumstances.
Otlate years the greatest advantages had arisen, in va-
eiees,instances, from such applications of the public
ntepey4 Cases might be stated in which the public in-
terest must necessarily be advanced by such an employ-
;pent of public money. For instance, that of opening by
roads chains of communications with mountainous dis-
tricts. When he was in Ireland a large and extensive
district on the west coast of Ireland, is the barony of
gmlis, had been improired in this manner. Govern.
ment , advanced the money for Opening roads, and the
capital thus expended was repaid many per cent. by
the calling into existence of many towns and villages,
by the general improvement of a part of the country
Which ,before was comparatively of no value, and by
the habits of industry which were thus spread among
the people. Improvements of this kind might become
a source of savipg tq the public; for by improving the
habits of the people, she employment of so large a • •
lice force as was now kept up in Ireland might by de-
grees become less necessary. In many parts of the
;county ot Tipperary and the
,county of Limerick, if
.they were improved, it would not be necessary to retain
fo large 3; body of police for the protection of the coun-
try. 4-le that very day received a communication from
thetord Lieutenant of Ireland, stating that he was
willing to superintend himself the application of any
sums which,GovernMent might deem it advisable to
advance, for the improvement of the country and bet-
tering the condition ot the people. In the application
of money to objects of this nature, the greatest caution
was necessary. la the proposition, however, of his
'Honourable Friend the Neither for Louth (Mr. Leslie
jostet) be could not see any serious difficulty. Every
facility and encouragement which Government could
reasonably afford ought to be given to individuals who
omit willing to melte ?fly effort towards general im-
l_ovelinift ia the way of drainage and improving waste
ands. The first thing to be done, however, was to re-
move legal..difficulties. In any Drainage Bill which
might be introduced, care must be taken to guard pri-
vete rights. The drainage must, of course, be carried on
through rivers; and as the richest and most fertile mea-
dow landilay vet y often on the banks of rivers, it must be
wee bowlfar such lands might be injured by the operation.
There may be many, other difficulties, but by perse-
Tecate pouch might be done. To guard. against any
infijngement of private rights was the great difficulty.
If hcse things could be effected—it industry and im-
provement could be the: extended over large districts
so libish,tliey, , were before steangers, he who operated
sock a change would deserve well of his country. The
Aight Hon. Baronet ,(Sir J. Newport) observed, in the
course ot his speech, that it, was tire duty of Government
to pay some attention to the interests of Ireland. He
admitted, in itufullest extent, the justice of the claim;
nor had the Right Hoe. baronet any occasion to press
it. He had resided too many years in Ireland, and
knew the country too well not to feel, independently
el 41.,considerations of public duty, a deep interest, in
its.ivelfere, and the toest sincere wishes to advance it.
..—it appeased totimrfrom the reasons stated by. his
Non, friend (the Member for Louth) •that there would
.be greeter difficiaties in a general Enclosure Act than
in a general Draining Act. In the latter the interests
et leocilairds and tenants seemed pearly the same. The
advantage of pasture at present enjoyed by the tenant
iial...f, trifling, iutd the claims of ,the different parties
might lbe adjusted, without much difficulty. It would
be easy, for a triging sutp, to biing about a compro-
mise, sod in many cases there might be no, occa4osi
for,apri composition. Independent of every other con-
sideration, it would be most desirable to have the,
boupdaries _determined, and that could be , more
easily accomplished before lands
.were improved
than ~afltr- tfothirrp ,would , tend mote to facilitate;
aftetwerds azeneral.Enclosure Bill than such a final
sesciesneat of boupdaries. It would seem that by a wise
perivisioo, of *nature, Mat particular species of manure
which was best adapted to the inaprovemeot of bogs,
eite•elways. found. is ;twit is neighbourhoed.
'phis eircistoetance wal of Importance* calculatiagaii
ultimate results,' such as alideuteking.. Nothing was
inisitio be desiied, thao that, in the distiission of Ties.
tiosla him chits. 41.4iffetence of political. opinion should
be left otttot.coosideratioP, and that they should apply
their atsentiqn pole to plans of real tisility. .
. Sir J. NI,WPQItT assured the Right llon.Gentle!
pialithat he had no intention of {peaking with impropes
etteerity of his conduct towards Ireland. •, II
. 14#• 11, (iiltATTAN.simported ,the s'etition. The
ompobi4,lreland were suffering at this moment all the
cis o _pecan and disease. it was notorious that
thaisamads.4,thern were starving and in rags. • He was
4marisestto hear the Member for Derry (Mr. Dawson)
S.
oifehe drainage of bogs as a visionary schmie.--
offemt that. it had been recommended by
• at that House, and by the Ileport. .of Ciimi:
sitisioDefg?

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