The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-04-30
More Hope for Ireland.

More Hope for Ireland.
We pointed out some time ago that 1t was
not too late for Mr.. GLADSTONE to seriously
modify his Irish policy, and that by the
adoption of just and generous attitude he
would recognize the greatest opportunity OF
his life. 1t now appears that he has resolved
to do the very things which Mr.. PARNELL
and his colleagues were imprisoned for advo-
eating year ago. BY the pledges and ad-
missions which he made in the debate on
Wednesday Mr. GLADSTONE assented to the
demands persistently urged by the Land
League and for the first time during his
present term Of Office found himself in cordial
accord with every Irish patriot in the House
Of Commons.
This remarkable demonstration on the part
Of the British Premier was called forth by
the debate on the amendments to the Land
act which had been drafted by Mr.. HEALY
on the lines laid down by Mr.. PARNELL be-
fore the latter's incarceration. These amend
ments are OF great Importance, being calcu-
lated to remedy the precise points OF weak
ness which the Irish leader from the outset
asserted would be fatal to the measure. On
one OF them Mr.. GLADSTONE did not dwell in
his speech ON Wednesday, because he had
already promised to support a bill giving
| the HEALY clause in the Land act relating to
allowances for Improvement the equitable
construction it received from the Liberal
members OF the Land Commission but which
had been overruled by the High Court OF APP
peal. AS defined by Messrs. PARNRLL and
| HEALY, improvements are to be construed
| by statute to mean any work or agricultural
| or nNDapHifura nf initial
holding, which adds to its letting value;
and when such improvements have been
made by a tenant or his predecessor in title,
no rent shall be allowed on account OF such
increased value Moreover the prevailing
usage on Irish farms is to be recognized by
the provision that such improvements shall
always be presumed to have been effected
by the tenant, the burden Of proving mega
tive resting upon the landlord.
Now however, the Prime Minister goes
far beyond this concession, and acknowledges
the justice of the demands put forward by
the Home Rule party for relief from arrears,
and for very large extension OF the facili-
ties to be afforded tenants for the purchase
Of their holdings He heartily commended
on Wednesday Mr. HEALY's plan for the set
Element of arrears. according to which the
Land Court should have power to suspend
all proceedings for the recovery OF arrears
pending the fixing of a Judicial rent. 1t was
also proposed by Alr. HEALY that the court
should be authorized to designate sum- not
exceeding one-half of the amount claimed, the
payment or tender OF which should be
payment in full. Mr.. GLADSTONE went fur
ther and expressed the opinion that the sum
requisite to relieve the tenant from arrears
should be furnished by the Government, not
as Il loan, but as q free gift. He advised the
application of the Irish Church surplus to
the aid OF tenants in arrear, and intimated
that should this fund prove inadequate, ii
, would be supplemented from other sources
Equally complete and creditable was Mr.
GLADSToNEs change Of front in regard tC
the purchase clauses OF the Land act. II
will be remembered that this measure was
mainly intended TO pcrpctuate the tenant
system as ameiorated by the three Fs, and
that very inadequate provisions were mad,
. for the creation Of a peasant proprietary
l which, according to Nj. PARNELL, consti
, tuted the sole drastic remedy for the mis-
+ chiefs of the Irish land system There arr
9 now two bills before Parliament which un
dertake to rectify the shortcomings of tn,
| Iuuu uCI III tllIS puIllculdT hI, HEAL
: suggests that the Land Commissioners b,
e empowered to advance The whole Qnstead .
a part VI the principal sum required to thu
@ purchasing occupier. Mr.. W. ii. SMITH
!, measure is more sweeping, and woul,
y make it the duty Of the Commission
n whether occupiers We're or We're not abb
e and willing TO give security for tn
: purchase money-to buy estates ON vas
t scale, and leave it optional with the occupl
o ers TO remain as tenants under the Govern
ment subrogated in the place of the land
= lord, or to avail themselves Of the facilitie
l, offered for the purchase Of their holdings
h Mr.. SMITHS bill represents the policy I
V which the Conservatives have been drive
l. under the pressure Of the Irish landlords
T. who have become eager TO get rid OF proI
" erty which OF late has been n source Of Krea
q harassment and little profit, But whateve
= may he the motives prompting the Consei
q natives the result at which they aim is on
l. fervently desired by Irish tenants, to whoI
l. it matters little from what quarter relic
8 comes, provided the old landlord system
If utterly swept away. Mr.. GLADSTONE said
II would discuss the expansion and enforce
n ment of the purchase eli uses in the Land az
d ! when MI SMIgH's motion Galps W. and