SIR GEORGE GREY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4363, 15 March 1875, Page 2

SIR GEORGE GREY.

Sir, —In a pamphlet cntitulcd “The Irish Land Question,” Sir George Grey argues that the real cause of Irish discontent is, the confiscation of land in favor of the conquerors. So far, there can he no doubt that ho is right. This was always the real grievance, and not, as supposed by many, the establishment of a Protestant Church. For, after disestablishment, the discontent remains as before. With the remedy proposed, however, it is not so easy to agree. It is quoted in his own words “ I would suggest one mode in which I believe they [her Majesty’s Ministers] might most beneficially apply, in part, their own principles to Ireland without delay. Let them at once give to that country a State Legislature, sitting in Dublin, composed of two elective 'Houses—a House of Representatives and a Senate—and having the same legislative powers as a State Legislature in the United States of America. Let them leave in the British Parliament the Irish members as at present, but without power to speak or vote upon any such question as the State Legislature sitting in Dublin is competent to legislate upon. In fcliis manner the Parliament of Great Britain and Ireland. sitting in London, would have the power of settling all Imperial questions, such as the strength of the army and navy, Customs duties, postal services, &C.» &c. The State Legislature sitting in Dublin would have the power of dealing with all local questions, such as the land question, education, &c., &c.” The idea seems somewhat wild, and is certainly but half thought out. The land question, of all others, might bo deemed a strictly Imperial question. The object of including it among the local questions is manifest .'—namely, to carry a measure through the local parliament, which would not be carried through the Imperial Parliament—the re-confiscation of Irish lands, and their restoration to the original holders. For, if both the Irish Houses bo made elective, as proposed, both Houses would be filled with members pledged to carry out that measure?. lam not discussing the merits of such a measure ; I merely show, in plainer words than Sir George has used, what it really is that he seeks to effect. Some might call it a secular dream. Of course ho is ready, for the sake of consistency, to vote for the restoration of the confiscated lands in New Zealand, and to cast all questions of practical hindrance to the winds. Granted, that confiscation was a mistake, or the Machiavelian dictum that a prince may take life with impunity, provided that ho meddles not with property,—far, as is sagaciously observed, “ason will more readily forgive the slaying of ilia father, than the loss of his inheritance.” Granted : but the practical difficulty Is how to get out of the mistake. Possibly Sir George, in the House, may show us how to do so. He would deserve the sincere thanks of many ; his own included, worthless’ though they be. .By practical success, in New Zealand, be might earn the right of leading the way to the pacification of Ireland. Quitting the regions of immigration, there is a real, though minor, difficulty in the way of two Home Parliaments, with restrictions as to the questions to be spoken about or voted upon : a difficulty which, in New Zealand, we have actually experienced—l mean the division of all questions into two well-defined categories. When Governor Gore Browne submitted to be “advised" on colonial questions, but retained the right of advising himself, in Imperial questions (including native questions), it was found in practice that the line of demarcation was not so easily drawn —that questions would sometimes overlap, partaking of both characters—confusion, of course, ensued. I am not discussing the merits of that division; but merely state the result. My division of questions into Imperial and social must, in certain cases, bo arbitrary. Womayimagino the dismay of Mr. Speaker, in the House of Commons, at the prospect of finding himself called upon to decide arbitrarily in doubtful cases, and of having to restrain from speaking on local questions impulsive members who might bo determined to treat them os Imperial. Sir George, with membership, will gain experience. Ho proceeds, in the pamphlet, to suggest a statute, of which one clause is as follows “ There shall bo within the Kingdom of Ireland a provincial parliament, to consist of a Viceroy, ft Senate, and a House of Representatives.” It may bo observed that he does not propose that the head of the province shall be an elective Suporirclcnt.—l am, &c,, llvon Cauleiox. Wellington, March 13.