CATTLE-DRIVING IN IRELAND.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 9012, 23 December 1907, Page 5

CATTLE-DRIVING IN IRELAND.

FIAT OF THE CHANCELLOR. IT MUST BE PUT DOWN. LONDON, December 20. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Right Hon. H. H. Asquith, speaking at Aberdeen, said cattledriving was reprehensive and peculiarly unpatriotic, tending as it did to cripple one of Ireland's most important industries. It must, and would, be put down. CONTEMPT OF COURT. AN IRISH M-P. CONVICTED. SEVERE STRICTUEES JSY JUDGE. Received December 22,4.40 p.m. LONDON, December 21. The Land Judge's Court, at Dublin, has ordered Mr L. Ginnell, National member for North Westmeath, mho did not appear, to be arrested and imprisoned for six months for contempt of Court in connection with his speech at Kilskeer. Mr Justice Ross decided thatthe speech was a crime, and wished it to be clearly understood that the prosecution had not been undertaken at the. instance of the Irish Government. The cattle-driving movement had de moralised people to an extent un equalled within his niemory. Wrongdoers laughed at the authorities' futile efforts, and the King's subjects no longer had confidence in the efficacy of the law in the protection of the property and liberty. In the present case the defendant dared to turn the swollen tide of lawlessness and violence upon an estate that was under the court's immediate protection.

Mr Ginnell, speaking at Kilskeer, on December 3rd, declared that the promise of Mr Birrell, Chief Secretary for Ireland, to do what the people wanted if the demand was made with sufficient courage and energy, meant that they ought to pursue cattle-driving vigorously. The "Westminster Gazette" urged the Government to prosecute members of the" House of Commons who are inciting the cattle-drivers, especially Mr Ginnell.