New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-23
LAND PURCHASE IN IRELAND.
MIR. PARNELL CRITICISES THE ASHBOURNE
EXTENSION BILL.

MANY OBJECTIONS TO THE MEAsURE-LoRD RAN
DoLPH CHURCHILL ANSWERS THE
IRISH LEADER.
London, Nov. o2.-The debate on the Ashbourne
Extension bill was resumed in the House OF Commons
tonight by Mr.. Parncil He declared emphatically
that he approved the BILL but he believed that It was
so designed that, under the present circumstances, 1t
would be impossible to put It into effective operation.
He had always held that the creation Of peasant
proprietary was the only means of solving the land
question. His bill simply asked that church
tenants be allowed to acquire land by paying the
Church Commission annually for forty nine years
rent equal to per cent on tho capitalized value
OF the holdings. That would have created no risk
to the Imperial Exchequer The Conservative op-
posed that proposal, but the time would come when
they would find 1t ncedful to go further. The Irish
party were always ready and eager to assist in
settlement of the land question II was calumny
TO say that any one OF their members tried to make
political capital out Of the question opposed tho
bill because 1t would make the government of Ire
land easier. (Cheers) On the contrary their OPP
position To the bill due TO the knowledge that
1t would loss to the Exchequer without effect
ing its ostenslblo object. The Government had not
taken up the land question with view to helping
tenants, but at the solicitation of landlords who,
ing that they could not any longer maintain their
position, wanted to dispose of their property at in
tain provisions enabling the State, when supplying
money, TO decide what tenancies It would be de-
srable to purchase in the public interest. The Gov
eminent left the landlords TO decide Congested and
rack-rented estates would not be touched under the
BILL The only way TO make the landlords Of con
gesed estates agree to accept the value of their
property to empower the Commission to pur
chase at such price would really represent the
landlords interests
Arrears, the speaker said ought to be considered
along with rcnt reduction; otherwise the land-pu
chase arrangements were futile. lie would not like
TO predict that tenants might repudato bargains madc
under u measure, the ground that advantage had
been taken of their necessities but the bill would not
assist that large and permanent settlement that was
Desirable. Any bargain with the farmers ought to
have basis that would put reputation out of the
question. e. Heart Heai") The measure showed
an entire absence Of consideration for the National
sentiment The present system Of government tram
pied upon the National feeling If the Government
meant 10 attempt a large scheme of land purchase, 1t
essential TO establish in ireland representative
authority to act a buffer between the tonant and
the State The tenants would have their eighty six,
ana may be lO1 members OF Parliament. (Parnellite
cleers.) Governments would be as much dependent
as now upon the Irish vote. No sane Government OF
seirespccting character would tolerate the sending of
tax collectors around TO cottages with an army and
a crowbar brigade to enforce payments. II the Ma
tcnal sentiment was concliated, there would be moth
ing fear from the influence upon the hot youth OF
the country of all the Fenan propagators from New
York TO San Francisco. 1t was those who exercised
Coercion that fomented dsaIcction far more than
Rosa e. Hear! Hear!") This was not merely an
agrarian question. 1T was knit up with National as
piraiions. If the Government meant well TO tenants
by the bill, he imrored them 10 Insert suitable pro
visions dealing with arrears-thc tenants greatest
difficulty. That done, he could cordially appreciate
The measure and the Legislature would reap Its reward
in the conciliatior of tho people. (Cheers)
Lord Randolph Churchill said that the assertion that
the bill introduced to enable landlords TO sell at
inflated prices would not bear examination The
Parnellites knew that imitation did not exist in Ire
land, but very much the reverse Regarding the Ma
tional sentiment he appealed TO Mr. Parne 10 say
what there was for romance in dealing with
a matteroffact advance and repayment of money
e Hear Hcar!") Had Mr.. Parnell any alternative
bill Would he support the principle Of Mr.. Glad
stones bill of 1862 (Mr Parncll here gave mega
tive shake of his headl Then, what Other scheme
Mr. Parnell-l would accept the bill II the disad
vantages connected with IL were modified By dealing
Lord Randolph, continuing. said he trusted that
after the recent speeches OF the Ministers, the Gov
ernment would bring up the arrears question early In
The future. In the meantime he could not admit that
Coercion initiated against land purchase. Cheers0
How could IL impede free action on the part OF either
the landlord or the tcnanti e. Hear! Hearl') AS
a financial operation the bin certainly wac not good
enough. The security fer advances totally in
sufficient, but the risk might lc worth incurrtng when
limited TO advance Of ten millions. which would
not be toerahe under larger scheme. II would
never do to make the State the in mediate landlord
Of the Irish tcnan;ry. The present measure would
apply to then $4,000 holdings. 1t was not
likely to be danger the state, though probably 1t
could not be safely extended e. Hear! He&r!")
Tho hill passed the second reading by I vote Of
29) TO 224.
Mr. Parnel has given notice that he will move
that the commit tee on the Ashbourne bill be empow-
cred TO ins truct the Land Commission TO deal with
when fixing judicial rents
Mr.. GOSchen continuing the debate, said that the
remarks except in regard TO the security for loans,
which the Government considered effective TO the
extent OF the proposed advances. The Government
had no intention TO ask any further advance.
Sir William Vernon HarOurt said that Lord Ran
dolph Churchill's cold dOuchc had much altered Mr..
Goschen's tone respecting the bill. Churchn ron
dcred verdict of not guilty. but don't do II again.
SO Mr. GOschen promised that he wouldn't. U.au2her)
The Radicals continued the debate, compelling Mr..
Smith TO carry division by clOtuie.