THE IRISH LAND ACT.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1494, 31 January 1882, Page 3

THE IRISH LAND ACT.

Most persons in England, and the same is probably true of Ireland, long ago gave up trying to understand the Land Act. Liberals, both in and out of Parliament, have supported the Government in their supreme effort to do justice to Ireland, not because they had studied and mastered the details of the measure, but because they had faith in Mr Gladstone. The chief provisions of the Act have, however, now been set forth by the Irish Land Commissioners in such clear and simple language that the most ignorant tsnant can hardly fail to comprehend what a great boon has been conferred xipon him. This statement of what the Land Act has secured for the Irish farmer fully justifies the confidence which the great bulk of the Liberal party has so unreservedly placed in the Prime Minister, and will do much, we are persuaded, to open the eyes of Mr Parnell's dupes. The Land Commissioners tell the Irish farmer that every existing tenant is entitled to have a fair rent fixed either by the County Court judge or by the Land Commission ; or it may be settled by agreement with the landlord, or by arbitration. When the rent has been fixed, it cannot be raised or altered for fifteen years, nor can the , tenant be disturbed during that period. In the last year of the fifteen years the tenant can again get the rent settled, and a new term of fifteen years granted, and so on. The tenant who pays a fair rent and complies with certain other conditions, will, therefore, be safe from eviction or arbitrary increase of rent, and bis rent cannot be increased in consequence of his own improvements. The statutory conditions which he must observe in addition to paying his rent, are that he shall not commit persistent waste ; that he shall not subdivide or sublet, or erect additional buildings ; that he shall not vest his holding in an assignee in bankruptcy j and that he shall not open a public house without the consent of the landlord. The latter is to enjoy the rights of mining, quarrying, cutting timber, and sporting. Thus Fair Rent, and Surety of Tenure are amply guaranteed. Tenants who owe arrears of £30 or under, provided they can pay one year's rent to the gale day prior to the 22nd of last August, may apply, in coujuction with the landlord, to the Commissioners for an advance of one-half of the arrears (the advance not exceeding a year's rent), and have all previous arrears swept away. The importance of this provision cannot be exaggerated, as it will give to the most needy farmers, and to those most tempted to become the instruments of a lawless agitation, a new start in life. Its value is increased by the fact that it applies to tenants who have been evicted for non-payment of rent since May Ist, 1880, where the landlord agrees to reinstate them in their holding. By other provisions a tenant is enabled to sell his tenancy, or can apply to the Land Comission for an advance to purchase his holding. To encourage the formation of a peasant proprietorship, the Land Commission may advance threefourths of the purchase money, the landlord agreeing to leave the remaining onefourth due upon the security of the premises. Amidst these benificent arrengements the labourer is not altogether out in the cold. The Court may sanction the resumption by the landlord of part of the holdings for the benefit of labourers in respect of cottages, gardens, or allotments, full compensation to the tenant being provided for ; and the tenant may, after notice to his landlord, let off half-an-acre of laud (not exceeding one letting for every twenty-five acres) to each of his labourers. The Commission has also power to advance money to assist emigration from the more thickly populated districts, and will secure the satisfactory shipment, transport, and reception of the emigrants. — Christum World.