IRISH AFFAIRS.

Evening Star, Issue 8406, 6 January 1891, Page 3

IRISH AFFAIRS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sm, —In your leader on Irish affairs, in Saturday's paper, there are many statements which I do not agree with, still I would not have troubled writing had it not been for the closing sentence in the article in question. It is so much at variance with facts that I think it only right that it should be noticed. The sentence referred to is as follows :—" The present Irish secretary revels in * the wantonness of power* from a distance, and •it is his standing habit not only to care nothing for the feelings of the Irish people, but to flaunt it in their faces that he cares nothing for them.'" Surely you must be aware that Mr Balfour brought forward and carried the Light Railway (Ireland) Bill. This Bill gives a free grant of something like L 1,000,000 to make railways in some of the most congested districts in Ireland. The Nationalists, to a man, opposed this Bill; why is best known to themselves. But I cannot understand how anyone having a sincere de3ire for the welfare of Ireland could oppose a Bill that would be so manifestly for the good of the peasantry. Possibly you may not have heard that in October last Mr Bilfour, accompanied by his daughter, visited the poorer districts in the west and north-west of Ireland, travelling most of the time on an outside car, and usually in a storm of rain, hail, or snow. Mr Balfour was everywhere well received. In Mayo, when a deputation pointed out to him a bridge in an unfinished state (through the poverty of the people), he authorised its completion at his private expense. In Killybegs, Father Martin (Irish priest) Baid that "he was the best Chief Secretary Ireland ever had; he had done more for Ireland than any of his predecessors. Just imagine, L 116,500 as a free gift to make a railway only seventeen miles !" (Dancgal to Killybegs). Sir, the above does not harmonise with Mr Gladstone's statement that Mr Balfour cares nothing for Ireland. The charge of absenteeism could belaid more truly against Mr Gladstone. When did he travel among the peasantry ? How long is it since he has been in Ireland ?—I am, etc.. Irishman. Dunedin, January 6, IS9I. I