Irish Land Bill.

Manawatu Herald, 31 March 1903, Page 2

Irish Land Bill.

The 'Right Hon. Q. Wyndham, Chief Secretary for Ireland, occupied an hour and a half in the House of Commons in unfolding his bold and complicated scheme of land reform in Ireland, which it is proposed shall become operative on Ist November. Mr Wyndham explained that the Bill would eliminate the causes of discontent, arrest the decay of agriculture, and stop emigration, by enabling tenants to buy their holdings, paying less than their present rent. The gradual purchases would bo financed by the Treasury to the extent of a hundred millions to be raised by small yearly loans The settlement is expected to occupy fifteen, years The gift of twelve millions is intended to encourage landlords to sell, on receiving a cash bonus varying with the importance of their holdings. The inducement will be greatest in the case of small holdings, and the dual charge on the Treasury in connection with the grant will not exceed £390,000, against a saving of It quarter of v a million in Irish ' administration. Purchases will be based on the capitalised, value of the reduced second term rents. Tenants will pay seven-eights of the value of their holding by instalments as of terminable annuities over a period of sixty-eight and a half years. The remaining oneeighth will he a prepetual rent charge, thus enabling the State to control buyers and restrict ion and mortgage. Mr Wyndham was cheered on concluding his speech. The Bill has been most favourably received. Its main features aria considered very generous. Criticisms and suggestions as to details are reserved The Bill is recognised in Dublin as a careful, sincere, and hopeful attempt at the solution of a difficult'* problem There is a remarkable consensus of favourable opinion regarding the metropolitan residents of Ireland. Mr Healy generally approves the Bill, but expects to obtain more concessions when it comes to be dealt with in committee Mr J. E. Redmond objected that the perpetual rent charge was too large, and would create the impres-

sion that the tenants were not absolute owners. He regretted that the assistance proposed to be given by the Government did not equal the terms which were recommended by the Joint Land Conference recently held in Dublin. Colonel Saunderson and other Irish landlords welcomed the measure