NEW IRELAND

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 14 April 1928, Page 11

NEW IRELAND

W HAT is Ireland like now? asks the typical Briton when a citizen of the Irish Free State visits England, states a. Dublin correspondent of the London ‘ ‘ Sunday Times, ’ ’ who is of the opinion that “often behind the question lies a belief that Ireland is a country of organised disorder, where laws are largely set at naught, where no debts are paid, and where, as the pessimists prophesied, all is happy confusion.” This greatly amuses the Irishman, though he can understand readily enough why so general an ignorance regarding conditions in the Irish Free State should prevail among Englishmen, seeing that “the removal of Ireland from party politics and strife in England lias led to a severance of intercourse between the two countries. . Formerly, largely on account of the large British garrison and a common Civil Service and Parliament, socially England and Ireland were one. Friendships were formed, families inter-married, and the bonds were close and intimate.” To-iday, all this is changed, but, as the correspondent points out, “in point of fact, any visitor, whose memories are those of pre-war days, would find much that was familiar and would have to probe well below the surfaceto discover the changes that recent years have wrought. ’ ’ Says this Irish writer:

“With the exception of the customs examination, he would not notice any appreciable administrative change, although before long he will experience the more obvious annoyance, of separate coinage. The Irish language, of which he had heard so much, will obtrude very little, and if he is a motorist,, almost his only inconvenience will be the bilingual signposts, which are unnecessarily large and hard to decipher. He may remark that the pillar-boxes are painted green, and the postman wears a kind of kepi. “In the Army, despite the green uniform, he will note—if lie has had any military.experience —the unmistakable influence of British Army methods, in armament, equipment, drill, and smartness of parade, and even in t-hc dress and social aspirations of the commissioned ranks. He will find the policemen on point duty regulating the Dublin traffic on the. London model, but with more gesture and gesticulation; while the country police, in appearance,, good temper, and civility, will appear very similar to the old R.I.C. If he is -unfortunate enough to be in the clutches of the income tax gatherers, he will notice, if observant, a unique absence of any bilingual phraseology.” So much for the points of resemblance. Turning now to the points of difference, which it “will take a little more penetration to see,” this Irishman tolls us: —

“ A visit to the Houses of Parliament may prove disappointing. Expecting, perhaps, a traditional exuberance of wit and humour, he will find the debate and proceedings orderly and re-

STRIKING CHANGES BRITISH INFLUENCES

spec table to the verge of dullness —indeed, far less exciting' than Westminster. He will listen in vain for the rich brogue and originality of expression such as that with which our present Governor-General in days past so much amused the House of Commons. In spite of occasional speeches in Irish, which few understand, and which are obvious artificial gestures, he will note a, close resemblance to British Parliamentary methods, especially in such essentials as financial procedure and the Standing Orders that govern debate. Though he may be disappointed, he cannot fail to be impressed by the dignity of the proceedings and the well-appoint-ed physical fittings of the Chamber. It is in rural Ireland and in country society that the most striking changes are to be found. There, as we read: — ‘ 4 The visitors will certainly be impressed by the large number of empty or even derelict country houses,' some of them burnt and not rebuilt: many of them spoilt by a wholesale massacre of ornamental timber. This social' denudation is, however, uneven in operation. The western counties beyond the Pale have suffered most. At the same time, lie will not fail to admire the cheerful courage of those who remain ; their common friendliness and dependence, and the great sacrifices they make to maintain their church, the district nurse, and the local pack of hounds.

“Among the masses he will find it more difficult to detect any change, They still remain happy in their discontents. They always looked in the past to the Government for aid, and they do so still. He will find it hard to discover what, they think about Home Rule. A British observer, Lieut.-Com. J. M. Kenworthy, R.N., the well-known Liberal member of Parliament, writing in “The Review of Reviews” (London), thus states his impressions:— “Ireland presents an extraordinary kaleidoscope. There is much poverty and unemployment, the congested districts are as congested and as poor as ever, taxation is heavy, and the cost of living high; yet on revisiting districts which I knew before the war in the rich agricultural area there is much evidence of the improved prosperity of the farmers.

4 ‘The Civic Guard, as the police are now called, are excellent and non-political. They are unarmed, have the confidence of the people, are recruited from the same class as the old Royal Irish Constabulary, and are functioning splendidly. The Irishman makes a good policeman, and domestic law and order is of the highest. The Civic Guard has actually succeeded in putting down poaching, for the first time within living memory in Ireland. There is more game on the mountains and on the land, and more salmon in the rivers than there has been for a hundred years.