The Irish Land Bill.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 941, 7 May 1881, Page 3

The Irish Land Bill.

MR. GLADSTONE.S SPEECH ON PRESENTING IT TO PARLIAMENT. London, April 8. Nothingmoieimposing in the House has been seen for years than the introduction of the Land Bill. The remarks of Mr Gladstone in presenting the bill showed an evident desire to placate the somewhat truculent landowning class, which was shown in the assertion that the many plans proposed in the interest of tenants were simply schemes of public plunder; and the further assertion that the legislation the Government was about to propose had its basis in the belief that the landlords had been tried and not found wanting. Mr Gladstone stated that they had stood the trial and been acquitted. It was significant that he was vociferously cheered from portion of the Radical benches when he staled that the right of tenant assignment entered fundamentally into the old law of the country, and not only entered into the old law of Ireland, but also into the ancient law of Europe. The cheers greeting this utterance

show that radical reforms in renting lands are popular and likely to enter into the agitation which will soon affect the system of landowning in England. The proposal to advance money in aid of emigration was not received with enthusiasm, as is is well known that Irishmen do not care to any extent to emigrate to the English colonies. Amendments to be Offered. London, April 8.

jn the House of Commons Lord Elcho gave notice that he would oppose the Land bill by amendment. That while the House was willing to consider any measure based upon sound principles, the present bill is economically unsound, unjust, and impolitic. Sir Stafford Northcote (Conservative) stated the leaders of the Opposition were not responsible for Lord Elcho’s motion in opposition to the Land bill. The bill involved such important financial and political questions that they did not know how to attack it.