The Irish standard., 1903-08-08

honorable members have been in the
state of mind Of a shy horse being led
up to an awkwarl-looking obstacle.
Somehow or other they had been led
past the object which they regarded in
that light, and they had wisely left
the matter mainly in Irish hands. l
was amused when heard the honor
able and gallant gentleman who has
just sat down giving somewhat belat-
ed philippe on home rule. Why, we
have had st. Stephens green in the
House of Commons. We have had an
anticipation Of the future, and think
the Irish members on both sides have
done much by the way in which they
have behaved to lessen ut all events
the fears with which any considerable
alteration in the mode of governing
Ireland has been contemplated hther-
to by some people in this country.
When l said 'St. Stephens Green"
meant College Green.
Mr.. w. REDAIOND-It isn't far off.
Mr.. BALFOUR, who was received
with cheers, said-We have now heard
upon this last concluding stage of the
great series of debates which have
taken place on this bill, the leader of
the Nationalist party in Ireland, one of
the most distinguished representatives
of the landlords in this House, and the
leader of the opposition. If l make
a fourth to that trio, at all events
think l should be able to initiate those
who preceded me i'll introducing no
harsh note of dscord, nor indeed touch
ing any NOTE at all except that of
warm congratulations to all those who
have been concerned either in the
framing or the debating or the criti-
cism of this measure. On no point
has there been very sharp difference
of opinion expressed this afternoon,
and OH one point there has been abso-
lutte unanimity-thatp point is the skill,
the tact, the eloquence. the judgment,
and the knowledge displayed by my
right honorable friend the chief secre-
tary for Ireland (cheers). l noticed
that there was Il lot of cross advice
given. The leader of the Nationalist
party gave some very good advice to
the landlord: my right honorable friend
Colonel Saundersom gave some very
good advice to the tenants, and indeed
there was 4 great deal of advice 60
ing all round (aughtrrD l hope and
believe that in the spirit that advice
will be taken by all the parties to
whom it is addressed. and have very
little doubt that it will be So For my
part, have been rcproachcd Indirect
ly by the right honorable gentlemen
opposite for not having given the bene-
fit of my presence and support to my
colleague during the passage of this
bill.
Sir II. ELL-BANNERMAN
I merely stated the fact
Mr.. BALFOUR-.Well, the fact is
perfectly accurate in this case Qaugll-
teri, and I think it would be admitted
by those who watched my right hon
orable friend at work that should
have paid him a very poor compliment
if l had indicated to him OF to the
House that my presence was necessary
in order to help him out of any diff
Guilty that might have been averted
But there is no subject of legislation
with which this House could possibly
occupy itself in which 1 feel, and have
long felt, a greater interest than in
that of land purchase in Ireland
(Nationalist cheers. This bill adj
vances--I had almost said it makes
! the last and final advance, but at all
events it greatly advances two of the
causes which 1 have most at heart in
relation to our Irish policy. 1 mean
it advances the question of land pur-
chase and the question Of the con-
gcsted districts board. l have myself
in days gone by occupied many hours
of the time Of this House im recon-
call the parent measures which have
now been brought so admirably to a
conclusion by the joint labors of the
tenants. the landlords. the government,
the House. and the minister response
bic for Irish affairs in this House. The
congcsted districts board. I believe,
by this bill will be further strengthens
cd. 1t will be able to carry out work
which is peculiar to Il portion of Ire
land. aud which nothing but a special
organization in Ireland could carry on
efficiently. And as to land purchase,
as long rs | remember anything in this
House. | have been an earnest. and I
hope not impractical. advocate of that
scheme hcar. hear: and l have been
an advocate of it not as Il politician.
but us Il social reformrr Mear, hear.
The honorable member who opened the
debate and my right honorable friend
: Colonel Saundcrson) have both from
their own points of view, given their
Judgment as to what effect this bill!
will have or will not have upon the
great political controversy conncctc cd
with the constitution of Ireland.
decline to look at the bill from that
point of view Qrish cheers. Even if
| was convinced that this bill was 4
step In the direction of home rule,
chn, S.fil ,s,,I-