Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-13
LATEST LAND BILL
New Irish Act Great Improvement
Over Predecessor.
B1RRELL SPONSOR IN COMMONS
Startling Disclosure Of Tnadequacy Of
Unionist Scheme.
UNDEREsTIMATED MANY MILLIONS
Resumption of Land Purchase is
Provided For.
CONDITION OF THE CoNsTABULAR7
better Pay and Higher Pensions
Provided FOr-COmn Makers
Out of Work in
Dublin

-
DUBLIN, Dec. overwhelmingly
the one topic of conversation in Ireland
now is the new Irish land Dill which has
just been introduced in Parliament by Mr..
Birrell. the chief secretary for ireland,
and 1 am bound to say, that while some
people do not think 1t goes far enough the
majority of 1rishmen are disposed to accept
II as a far larger measure of justice than
they had any hopes of receiving from
this government.
Two features stand out in the new bill.
One lie the resumption of land purchase and
the other is that the consequent settling of
men and women on the land that has been
given over to the bullocks. One of the side
Issues, which, perhaps, is not less impor-
tant than the main features, is the expo
sure of the pitiful inadequacy of the wynd-
ham measure Of 1903 and Of the faulty
finance Of the late unionist government.
Mr.. Wyndham estimated that to buy out
the landlords OF Ireland and restore the
land to the people would cost about $780,
100000, OF which $5ooOOOy0OO would be paid
for the land itself and SEQ, 900 would be
paid as a bonus to induce the landlords to
sell. or, as II has been expressed in one of
the debates, as a 'bribe to the landlords
to part with their land for more than It
was worth" Mr.. Blrrell riddled these fig
ures in introducing his bill and said that
It was now clear that the total expenditure
would be 5000 900, 900. exclusive Of the bonus.
In explaining his plan for finding this
money he relieved the mind OF the Irish
taxpayers.
Wyndham Act.
Under the Wyndham act land purchase
was financed by an issue OF bonds which
had to be sold considerably below par, the
issue OF $3.50, 100000 stock to date represent
ing a loss of sl7,6OO.OOO. This loss fell on the
Irish taxpayers, but under the Birrerl bill
the loss. II any, is to be borne by the inn
perial exchequer. The other feature of
the bill provides for giving the congested
districts commissioner compulsory powers
for the purchase Of land for distribution
among the occupying tenants. and for i'm
proving uneconomic holdings. and gives
them an income Of s1,25O.eW a year for the
latter purpose.
Some interesting figures showing the ex-
tent to which the wyndham act has worked
are given by Mr.. Birrell. So far the trans
actions completed-in which the money has
been paid over to landlords-represent S125,-
10000. Agreements to purchase have been
signed to the amount of s265, OoO. 900. but the
transactions have not been completed for
want of money, and 1t is estimated that
there is about s5OO,0OO.O00 worth OF land
remaining to be dealt with The landlords
have received an average Of twenty-six
years purchase for their land. which no
one can say Is not exceedingly generous,
and when the bonus is added 1t works out
at about twenty-eight and one-half years
purchase. This is a high price, but Ire
land is willing to pay IL 1t is assured of
being rid Of landlordism.
New COnstabulary Bill.
Another piece OF legislation which will
benefit a large number OF Irishmen is the
new constabulary bill dealing with the
Rsy aud conditions of service OF the royal
Irish constabulary. II is fashionable. 1
know. to denounoe the constabulary as a
foreign force maintained for the oppres-
sion of ireland, but 1t is really one OF the
finest police forces in the world and does
excellent police duty. 1t is not its fault
that 1t is occasionally used by the British
government to enforce oppressive laws.
and in the hands of an Irish government It
would form the most popular body OF men
in the country. The men are wretchedly
underpaid and the new bill provides for a
slight increase - pay and somewhat larger
pensions, 1t also redresses other griev-
ances and offers larger opportunities for
tho promotion of men from the ranks.
WI lie talking Of the constabulary l may
mention that the r. 1. c. possesses a bache-
lor OF arts among it's members, He is Com
stable +. J. Gum ngham, b. A., who is now
stationed in Dublin and who took his degree
hom he Royal University OF Ireland a few
months ago. He is the only member Of the
force under commissioned rank possessing
a university degree.
The Coffin Makers society Of Dublin,
which is one OF the trade unions of the
Irish capital. is complaining that times are
bad ana that It's members cannot find work.
The secretary wro,e to the North Dubiil
beard Of guardl ms a few day ago COM
planning that Iaup-is were being employed
to mako eoffins in the workhouse and de-
elaring that as the city became healthier
tier ira e was declining. The guardians
we're ns.ura ~ unable to express any very
Keen sympathy with the unemployed coffin
m kers, bur they de-ided to see that they
got tie ~workho-se work in future.
Long Way to ShrOud Maker.
The shrCud makes m the north. however,
seem to be In a more independent position.
The relieving officer complained last week
at the meeting OF the Bal yn;ena board OF
guardians that he had TO walk four miles
10 gee a shroud for a dead pauper at the
lrlce allowed by the guardisns-0 egnts.
Not one in B1llymena would make a shroud
- - nan sAsAS rs kudEu-dnb AcC40t
in this case to buy their own calico ana
Lave tie shrouds mace In the woFkhOuse.
Another serious wo. khouse quesu. n which
Is agitating the Dublin guardians Is Should
women smoker" The guardians see no
reason why they should not IL they want to,
tnd they have been in the habit OF provid-
Ing pipes and tobacco for the women in
mates OF the workhouse. Now, however,
The local government board has refused 10
pass the bills, declaring that II is not de-
sirable that the women should be encour-
aged 10 smoke. The medical officer de-
clares that tobacco Is necessary to some of
the old women who have used It all their
lives, and that II they can get Il In no
other way he win order 1t for them under
the head Of medical comforts" with which
the local government board has no power
6 interfere X CULLEN