GOOD CHEER FOR IRELAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 852, 28 March 1903, Page 3

GOOD CHEER FOR IRELAND.

the new land bill.

By Telegraph. Press Association. Copyrigh l London, March 26.

Mr G. Wyndham, Chief Secretary for Ireland, occupied an hour and a half in unfolding a bold, complicated scheme, to bo operative on November Ist. He explained that tho Bill would eliminate tho causos of discontent, arrest the decay of agriculture, and stop emigration. It would enable tenants to buy their holdings, paying less than the present rent, by gradual purchases, to be financed by the tho Treasury to the extont of one hundred millions, raised by small yearly loans. The settlement is expected to occupy 15

years. A gift of 12 millions is intended to oncourage landlords to sell, receiving a cash bonus, varying with tho importance of the holdings. Tho inducement would bo in tho case of small holdings, and the dual charge on the Treasury in connection with the grant would not oxcood £390,000, against a saving of a quarter of a million Irish administration. The purchases will be based on tho capitalisod value of reduced second term rents. Tenants will pay sevon-eigbths of the value of thoir holdings by instalments, as of a terminable annuity, over a period of 68J years. The remaining one-eighth would be a perpetual rent charge, thus enabling the State to control buyers and roßtrict subdivision and mortgage. Mr Wyndham was cheered on conclusion of his speech, Tho Bill has buen' most favorably received. Its main features aro considered very generous. Criticisms and suggestions in regard to details are reserved. The Bill is recognised at Dublin as a careful, sincere, and hopeful attempt at a solution of the difficulties of the Irish land problem.

OPINIONS ON THE BILL. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrighl Received 7.45 p.m., March 27.

London, March 26.

There is a remarkable consensus of favorable opinion on tho Irish Land Bill amongst the provincial and metropolitan Irish.

Mr Hoaly generally approves of the measure, but expects to obtain more concessions when the bill comes to be doolt with in committoo.

Mr J. E. Rodmond objected that the perpetual rent charge was too large, and would create an impression that tho tenants were not absolute ownors. He regrotted tho assistance proposed to be given by Government did not equal the terms which tho Joint Land Conference recently held in Dublin recommended. Colonel Saundorson and othor Irish landlords woleomod the measuro.