THE DISTRESSFUL COUNTRY.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2017, 26 March 1914, Page 7

THE DISTRESSFUL COUNTRY.

. % VISITOR'S IMPRESSIONS OF IRELAND, /'I happened to Be in Dublin oil'the uight of the tram strike, which led 1 to' the big industrial trouble there last year," said Mr. Theo Queree, of Wellington, who has-just returned .from a. trip to Europe. ."It was a queer experience. Tho strike was to- take place at 10 at night, which was an extremely awkward time, as the Royal Horse Show, was on n,t the time, and there: was a good deal of social entertainment' going oil. " Police were poured into Dublin throughout tho day from.the neighbouring districts, anil right , along both sides of . Sackville street, police were stationed about every. 30 feet or. so, whilst there were, rows on cither side of, the reserve in tho middle of the street. In each street leading off. the' main thoroughfares .were small groups of constables waiting for eventualities. When the men struck .all the visitors left Dublin, and wero , well out of the way .when tlio riots started .a few days later.- • • "The . feeling on -the 'Homo Rulequestion was very intense, and both in ■Dublin and. Belfast circulars and pamphlets were thrust into my hands fre-', quently, . advocating. Homo Rule or the reverse,. Ireland struck mo as a very beautiful and exceedingly rich country, but it 1S a : country that is practically empty, and has.a. restless and dissatisfied people. The peasantry that I came m touch with spoke hopeless,? of its future. _ One old woman said to me,.wjipn talking over the eternal sub-' ject, What-good can Homo Rule do now.? We have lost our sons and daughters, and tho country is empty of money and people." That was mostSouth of Ireland. In the worth _ the - people are- brichter,' . and.there is an air of prosperity, that one cannot fail to perceive,. .They are all dreadfully in earnest over resisting Home Rule in Belfast-thero'fi not the slightest-doubt of that."--