The Depopulation of Ireland.

Manawatu Standard, Volume X, Issue 46, 22 July 1885, Page 4

The Depopulation of Ireland.

The annual report of the RegrstrarGerioral for Ireland, issued recently m the form of a Parliamentary abstract, contained statistics ofobsorbiug interest. In round "numbers Ireland contained about five millions of inhabitants last year, audiri the twelve month's ending December there were a hundred and nineteen thousand births and eighty— seven thousand deaths. Standing alone these figures would show a small gain of population of thirty-two thousand, but thisnomirial increase is turned into a serious decrease by the number, of- emigranlsj which, for lhe c yoa.r, reached the large. total of seventy-six thousand. The result is a depletion of population, to the extent of fourty-four thousand — a fact of srikiiig significance. Incidcntly another -very curious question (irises out of the Irish death returns. There were lust year 7,521 deaths from zymotic diseases,, only one of which is absorbed to small-pox. It would bo interresting to know bow Irela-id has practically managed to stamp out this fatal disease, and why we caunot do the same thing m England. While on the subject of Ireland, says our London correspondent, I learn that bur sapient Cabinet have beon muoh exercised of hite with ■ regard to the ronewal of the ." Crimes Act." This act expires m September, and as wo are bound to havfl.a general election m Novercber the Government -is placed m a most ombarsasing position. I understand that Ministers were very much divided on this subject. Mr Gladstone, Sir Charles Dylke, and Mr Chamberlain strongly advocating the reneal of the/Act, (thus affording further facilities for shooting Irish landlords and agents as . ; soon as the dark winter nights will permit this sport to recommence), while. Lord Spencer .-Sir William Harcourt, and the Marquis of Hartirigtoii; threatened to resign if the Act was not re-introduced. A compromise has therefore been arrived at and some i of the more stringent provisions wjU be. omitted, including the -trial of prisoners by three Judges instead of by'Juryj andsome relaxation with regard to the Press laws. As a sop t« the Irish Cerberus, Government have promised to -.introduce an Irish Local Government Bill (the passing of of which, however, is to be left to the new Parliament) which will place more power m the hands-,v of the Nationalist party. Grand Juries are to be .abolished und popularly selected County"; tJbiincila are to be substituted, with #>' -Head Council " sitting m Dublin, elected' by the County .Councils. The office of Board of Works to be merged into this "Head Centre," the office of Lord-Lieutenant to bo abolished, and other concessions are * : proposed " which jwill be kept dangling before the eyes of Paddy when asked for his vote and." influence" at the coining elections. Mr Parhell will thus soon ac quire all he has been endeavoring to obtain. The advent of power to. i>he Salisbury Cabinet will thus be recognised as an event which has comio about not ono .whit too. soon. -Tho cable .message which appeared m Thursday's issue a.nnounc T ng the appointment, of Lord Carnarvon to the important office of Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland j^is. particularly ;. interesting when 'taken lii'cflnii'catiou .with' i'lio forogoing.—'Bay"'oi v: M l Oriity Time*.