The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 1881.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3887, 14 June 1881, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 1881.

We have repeatedly given extracts from Irish papers upon the state of affairs in that country, besides writing at length upon the questions at present agitating the minds of the Irish people. Our cablegrams also keep our readers well informed upon the progress made by the 1 Imperial Government in the matter of a Land Bill and other legislative measures to meet the wants of the people of Ireland. Men are not all agreed that the steps taken by Mr Parnell and his party are the best, that the circumstances of Ireland call for such an extraordinary course, but all will admit that the poor people evicted from their farms and rendered homeless, by the grasping and greed of landlords, are deserving of pity and assistance. In an extract from a letter written by Dr Croke, published in our last issue, we have the opinion of that eminent man of Mr Parnell and his exertions on behalf of the Irish people, and very few will be prepared to deny that Dr Croke is not a competent authority upon Irish questions. Archbishop Croke said :—" I believe Mr Parnell to be one of the greatest benefactors of the Irish people, and one ot the very few faistoi'ic characters of whom it can be truthfully told that be originated a great constitutional struggle and brought it without bloodshed to a successful issue. What is the struggle? It is a struggle for life." Many persons not intimately acquainted with Ireland or the laud laws of the country, cannot understand the questions at issue, nor can they see that such extraordinary measures are necessaryto secure that justice so loudly demanded, yet when we mention that during: the" first three quarters of 1880 there were 1900 ejectments, rendering houseless^ and homeless nearly 3,000 souls, a faint idea, may be formed of the violent course taken by the landlords and their agents.' Up to the time that the Land League commenced its operations it is estimated that 10,000 persons were ejected, and this policy is being carried out to the present day. If so many persons, and all of the poorer classes, have had their means of livelihood taken from them, great suffering and want mast be their lot. Hare not such a claim upon their countrymen throughout the world .for at least sympathy if not for pecuniary aid and assistance ? And not alone are the claims upon Irishmen, but upon all who feel for the unfortunate and who sympathise with men struggling for freedom, and what they believe to be an acknowledgment of their rights. Under such circumstances we cannot see why a branch of the Irish Land League should not be established on the Thames, and if the Irishmen in this community have not money to spare to send to their worse off countrymen, they may yet express their sympathy with them in their endeavours to bring about a reform in the land laws of theif native country. When it is borne in mind that not alone do the land laws of Ireland require amendment, but those of England and Scotland-^and these latter on no less au authority than Dr Blackie—we cannot see why Englishmen and Scotchmen could not unite in an expression of sympathy, in a struggle that cannot be called other than a constitutional one. The discussions upon land questions and the light thrown upon such by the Irish agitation is sure to end. in beoegt to the United Kingdom, and ameodejeßtß wjli follow wherever required. We commend bo our readers the suggestion, the holding of a public meeting to express sympathy with the people of Ireland under their present circumstances, ot tha formation of a branch of the Land League. ' . >;: \: i" ] - :■" ;■

A i'EW days ago our Wellington correspondent, chrpnicling the political gossip of the day, gave currency to the rumour that; an attempt wjould be made by the ministerialists to prevent any further work's, beyond those already, in band, being executed in, connection with the ThamesiWaikato Eailway. Tber6 may be somotbjug iv the stury, aud it may be a canard*

but of this we feel certain: the Patetere Land Ring w\\] make a big effort either this session or next, to have their ill-gotten desmesne opened up by means of a railway. We wjll not have much objection to the monopolist's -clienie, so long as they do not get their railway at the expence of this long suffering community. Sir Julius Vogel in his last despatch to the Government, announced that at the inauguration of the Public Works Policy, it was distinctly understood that a main truDk line was to be constructed in both islands, and insinuates that any departure from the course then set down would be a breach of faith. We have no doubt but that this gospel will be preached by the Patetere monopoliststs to obtain their ends. Our local bodies and our public men should keep a weather eye open, and not allow an unfair advantage to be taken. The Thames haß been sat upon and overridden long enough, and we can yet foresee several good stand up fights before we obtain the consummation of our desires.