The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1907-02-02

l
into dollars ] have calculated at the
rate s. to the pound sterling. When
Ireland had over 100000 inhabitants
nearly all the money spent for MAIN
tenance came out of the earnings Of
the land. OF the ao,oOO.OOo acres, more
or less, which represent the solid
ground, about 15,000,OOO acres We're
used for agriculture. The rest in
cluded forests, mountains, bog, roads
and waste.
If all tho arable and pasture lands
could have been divided equally among
the Inhabitants in 1897 it would not
nave afforded two acres TO each. AS
it was there We're 691,2O2 holdings
Surprising these had been divided into
farms averaging twenty-five acres
each, every occupicr would have had
to provide food and clothing FOR about
twelve people. A. large part OF the
Irish land is fertile, but there is also
a large part of it which, but for the
ceaseless industry OF tic occupiers,
would not yield crops worth harvest
ing. The unfertile districts MAIN
tanned lreland's unhappy reputation
for extremes OF poverty even after
emigration had reduced the liability
for support by onc-half.
Comparing the number of holdings
| lhnya in u.iih Iva
Der in 1891 there is a reduction of
1869. The decrease in Connaugln
alone was 39.46S, in Ulster it was So
ono. in Munster 50,474, and in Leinster
30721. BY means OF this decrease it
was possible to increase the total num-
Der of holdings Of not more than one
to make II genera! increase Of the hold
ings above fifteen and thirty acres.
There We're Of the latter named in 1S4l
less than 10000. In 1904 the number
was 16456S. Connaught had only
1862. Ulster, which also has a large
number of. poor spots, increased it's
tiiil y avn loIus:iSS -fOlll J.OOD Ill 100
To "A GAS in 1904.
Holdings above fifteen acres and not
exceeding thirty acres numbered TO-
342 in 1871. In 1904 the number was
l34,4S0, an increase OF 55,13S. Con-
naught has had Il large increase in
this class also. Tho number in 1s41
| r,,
The number of occupiers of not less
than on, acre has increased consider
ably in recent years. 1t stood at 49,
70l in 1864. an increase of Sill over
that OF 1903
This class includes the cottagers.
who under the laborers' act were pro-
vided with dwellings, and laf-acre lots
at rents varying from 20 cents to "a
cents per week. After several amend
ments the law finally increased the
half-acre lots to one acre each. Tile
administration of the law appears tic
have been so hampered that in a period
Of twentythree years only 17.4OO cot
tagcS had been built. Some of the
county authorities failed to take steps
to enforce it owing to the heavy in
crease of taxation which would be en-
tailed.
James Bryce, formerly chief secre-
tary for Ireland, under the liberal gov
eminent, came to the assistance Of the
laborers in such Il whole hearted wa !,
as to leave no doubt of his sincerity
He is the author of a measure which
necessary delay, OF from $4,000 to- 80.
900 cottages in addition to the 17,40C
already in existence Each cottage
will be provided with an acre lot. The
scheme will be financed by the Brit
isl treasury, which is to advance Se1,
100000. This sum is to be repaid
principal aud interest. by annuities
ending in sixty-eight and onc-hal
years. Toward payment of these an.
nuities the British treasury is to make
u grant of $4,000 per year. The res
is to come out of various Irish fund:
and administration savings. Two
jud2eships are to be abolished ant
: the salary OF the Irish lord chancellor
; is TO be reduced by $4,000. From This
saving !, contribution or $4,000 is t.
be made to the annuities. Iyle salar.
of the lord chancellor of Ireland il
$4,000 a year. He retires from offic,
With the ministry of which he form
: part and is entitled to q pension equa
! to half tho salary. Tho custom hthcr
| TO has been for lord cllancellors to re
sumo Office on the return to power
\ if not too long delayed, OF the gov
\ ernments to which they belonged.
1t is calculated that the taxpayer
will hc made responsible for less tina
, $3.50 and perhaps no more than IS pc
+ cottage and lot Under the old law
/ cost the local taxpayers about 500 pc