The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-04-26
BRITISH PARLIAMENT.
THE EVICTED TENANTS ACT
DISCUSSED IN COMMONS.
Morley's Bill Proposes Three Arbitrators
TO Examine Cases Referred to Them.
The Bill Meets With Strong
Opposition.


Vernon Harcourt in the house of COM
mons today said that in view of the
intended inquiry into the relations
existing between the three Kingdoms,
the new spirit and beer tax would be
only asked during the present year.
After the routine business had been
disposed, John Morley introduced the
evicted tenants bill.
Mr.. Morley said that in consider
ing the bill they must divest them
selves of the idea that the relations
between landlords and tenants in
Ireland were the same as in England.
Mr.. Morley outlined the bill, which
proposes to establish board of three
arbitrators for the period OF three
years. To this board the landlords
and tenants can apply and have their
cases examined. If the tenant can es.
tablish prima facie case for reinstate-
ment the arbitratOrs are to issue q
conditional order of reinstatement,
which will take place if the landlord
does not object. If the landlord OBJ.
iects the case will he argued before
the board and accOrding to their de-
cisiOn the order will be made abso-
lutte or rescinded. The arbilratOrs fix
the rent unless disputed, when the
tenant can apply to the land court for
fair rent. Two rents OF arrears are
to be paid, half by the tenant and
half by the state.
awe considere !, ;" said Mr.. Morley,
"whetner the money advanced by the
state should be loan or free grant
and we decided upon the latter.
Where the land has been relet to a
new tenant the evicted tenant must
petition for reinstatement. when
notice will be served to that effect
upon the new tenant, and if the latter
objects there would be a complete
block while the director remains on
the farm But if the new tenant does
not object the arbitrators will deter
mine the compensation which is due
to him. The arbitra .ors are en-
powered to advance one.halt OF
such compensation and we propose
to appropriate 100000 OF the Irish
church fund for part payment of the
concentrations and arrears" Cheers
and Oh, Oh's He said the only
charge falling upon the British tax
PAYERS would be that of the mainte-
nance Of salaries of the official stall Of
the board of arbitrators. The pro-
posal was introduced in 10 spirit OF
partisauship or to give either party
in this fierce agrarian dispute
triumph over the other. 1t was de-
signed to heal the deep wound OF the
social conditions of Ireland.
Arbitrator would decide whether
the 40 years arrears OF rents should
be pAid. Should landlord or ten
ant applying f9r reinstatement re-
uuire him to purchase, the arbitrators
would fix the price, and II the appll-
cant refused to pay the price he would
forfeit all his rights. The arbltrators
in the event of purchase will be en-
powered to advance to the tenant any
sum of money up to $50 and to re-
pair the house on the property to be
purchased if it be in dilapitated con-
dition. Two thousand seven hundred
eyicted tenants had applied to the
land commission but it would be inn
possible to say how many would De
included in the scope of the present
bill, nor how many OF the III cases
covering estates which were the GEN.
ter of mischief. About esq., UO would
probably suffice for the purpose OF the
measure.
Mr.. Baltour opposed the bill saying
that the evicted tenants could COM
plain of no hardship, seeing that they
had refused the remedy offered oy
parliament to have fair rents hxed.
Tine eyicted tenants had not been
forced to their present position. They
had entered into criminal con-
spiracy, and they now found them-
selves deprive1 of their farms. He was
unabIa to distinguish between the
eyicted tenants and the new tenants,
and wanted to know what would De
dona if the evicted tenant wac IN
solvent and unable to pay his share OF
the liabilities. He did n 1t believe the
Irish church fund could bear a fresh
charge of 100000. as it was already
mortgaged up to the hilt.
Moreover, out of POO evicted hold
ings, 1898 had been re-occupleu
What was Gl00, 600 in the face OF sucn
situation? The schme, however
elaborate and ingenious, failed be-
cause it did not take into account the
main difficulties. There was a grea
financial question involved, OF WhicL
the government had no idea. Ii th'
government could hold out the nope
that the land agitation in lrelanC
would be ended, he would not % uls
noged to look too closely either int
the amount of money or the mtrlts o
procuring it, He feared that was I'm
possible Do.rol1ita
declared that " r. Morley's bill was N
settlement of the question. ne wa wa
profoundly disappointed with the on
and expressed the opinion lhaS
would inevitably lead to disorder S,e
contention and agitation, the Tx,
of which had never yet been seen il
ireland. 1910, ,,,,roi,,,
question of the evicted tenants. Ihel
was much proposal for arbitration, P o u
tie real crucial poincwas the mum ., De
of re,occupied farms. The govern o,S,.n
mani nroposaIs woult merely tInHe
thooresti6,, and rive excitement q