NEWS BY THE SUEZ MAIL.

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 119, 23 May 1881, Page 2

NEWS BY THE SUEZ MAIL.

THE IRISH LAND BILL. [PBB TB ANAU AT THE BLUFF.] [UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.] London, BWi April. Yesterday evening, in. the Honse of Commons,. Mr. Gladstone introduced the Irish Land Bill in a speech of two hours and a half, considered as ranking among the greatest of his oratorical achievements. The cardinal point in the plan is the establishment of a Land Commission, having partly administrative, partly judicial duties, who will supervise and carry out provisions for the purchase of estates and the resale to the occupying tenants; also the advance of public money for the reclamation of waste lands, and emigration from overpopulated districts. The commission consists of three members, one being always a judge or ex-judge of the Supreme Court. The commissioners to regulate the proceeding of all local courts, and have power to appoint assistant commissioners and subcommissioners. Under the provisions of the Act, increase of rent is to be restrained by certain rules ; compensation for disturbance is to be regulated according to different rates, a right to sell the tenants' interest is to be universally established, and eviction permissible for default only. Resumption by the landlord is impossible, except for reasonable grave cause. Mr. Gladstone dwelt upon the political and social advantages of a peasant proprietary of the land. The commission would have power to assist tenants to purchase their holdings, to purchase estates from willing landlords for the purpose of re-selling them, when three-fourths of the tenants are willing to buy ; the advances to be three-fourths of the purchase money. Advances are also to be made to tenants on agricultural improvements, including the reclamation of waste lands. No limit is to be placed on the gross sum to be advanced. Every tenant to have the right to go before the Land Commission or Court to have a judical rent fixed for his holding which would endure fifteen years, during whioh time no eviction of the tenant — except for breaoh of certain covenants of the lease or non-payment for rent— can be made. Tenant right is recognised as a saleable interest. The Bill is warmly and hopefully received by the Liberal party, although it provoked the Duke of Argyle's resignation of the office of Lord Privy Seal. Mr. Parnell has reserved his judgment, but the prevalent impression is that the Irish members are favorable to the Bill. Lord Elcho gave notice to-day of an amendment condemning the main principles of the Bill, as economically unsound, unjust, and impolitic.