THE ROYAL IRISH CONSTABULARY.

Evening Star, Issue 3328, 20 October 1873, Page 3

THE ROYAL IRISH CONSTABULARY.

To the Editor. Sir —ln accordance with your usual courtesy in giving publication to the letters of your different correspondents and fthe readers of your very valuable on 1 widely-circulated journal, and more especially* to one who has seen some service in that highly distinguished and efficient corps, the Koyal Irish Constabulary—the patent force of all the Constabulary in Great Britain and toe Colonies—l am unwilling that bo liberal an act as alluded to in the subjoined article from the Dublin Freeman s Journal should pass without a word of praise: and I trust to your kindness for to express, however inadequately, that

which is widely felt by thousands of exiles, ex-members of the Royal Irish Constabulary, in the Southern Hemisphere. 1 enclose my card. -1 am, &c., Belfast. Dunedin, October 14. (From the Freeman-a Journal, July 16, 1873. ) It is satisfactory to learn that the grave situation of affairs caused by the recent pronouncement of the Dublin Police has been solved; and that the demands of the force have been complied with. Wo understand that information has reached the local authorities which removes all apprehension of further difficulty, and allays the well-grounded complaints of the signatories to the ultimatum. We are glad of the reconcilement on many grounds. The persistent contempt with which the Treasury treated the just claims of the police deserves to be ranked amongst the graver specimens of folly which have distinguished the economic policy of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. For something like two years the question has been practically settled so far as inquiry could settle it. The Commismissioners directed to investigate all the circumstances reported long ago in favor of the claim. The most minute statements were submitted to the Government, showing how unfairly the Irish police were dealt with, and comparisons were made which removed all doubt upon the subject. In London, Liverpool, Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, and Edinburgh the pay is considerably in advance of that accorded to our local force. The Dublin Police are quite famous for their appearance. They are invariably civil to strangers ; are often long-suffering in the discharge of their duties; in troublous times they have proved themselves loyal and energetic, eager in the maintenance of authority, and free from those dastardly combinations with iniquity which have sometimes disgraced the guardians of towns in England. Why these men should be paid very much less than men with far easier responsibilities it would be difficult to explain. The principle of underpaying Irishmen has prevailed too long ; and without professing to admire the tone of the address lately presented to Colonel Lake, we confess to some sympathy with the popular notion that nothing can bo had from our rulers save by big words and a minatory aspect. The result in this business proves how well founded is the general belief. To anybody reading the report of Lord Monck, Mr O’Reilly, M.P., and Mr Blackwood. the puerile indifference of the Treasury Lords seems almost unbelievable. We aie glad to know that they have had grace enough to yield in time—even though their acquiescence comes with that loss of dignity and shattered authority which few rulers can afford. But really there was no clear way out of tho difficulty. The situation, as it was, arose out of a deliberate disregard of common justice. The Government instituted an inquiry, and the inquirers certified on behalf of the men. To all plain understandings the proper course was as clear ns noonday. But Mr Lowe was probably cantankerous, and the “ mere Irish ” must wait. Probably he counted on Celtic patience, as English statesmen have too often counted in vain ; and thus he provoked one of the most serious crises which an Executive ever contended with and succumbed to. We trust the new pay system will be retrospective, and that perfect subordination will once more reign in the ranks. It would be abyssmal folly for the men to regard the concession in any spirit of vain-glory or selfcomplacency.