THE IRISH POLICE TAX.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXII, Issue 7413, 2 December 1884, Page 5

THE IRISH POLICE TAX.

The Irish Executive is placed in a very embarrassing dilemma about the collection of the extra Police tax imposed under the Crime* Act upon the City of Limeritk. It is the raw*, puzzling and provoking dispute that has arwen for many years, sad the attitude of positive refund to obey the order of the Queen's Beach, and the disregard alike of the authority and of the conciliatory spirit of the Loru-Lieutenast, are altogether unprecedented. It t* now become a test question of popular determination against Imperial power, and the Aldermen and Committee who have taken their stand against the Government ire sustained and encouraged by «b» sympathy and applause of the political bodies m well as the National Press, The F.xecutive is naturally reluctant te resort to extreme measures, not merely on account of the odium it would eaten I, hut become it would add immensely to the notoriety and arrogance of the civic heroes, if they were made martyrs in the cause of the people, and would keep up the agitation which it is desirable to allay in the interests of peace and order. On the other hand, it is felt that unless the authority of the law is vindicated in this test case it will V*? onjust, if not actually useless, to attempt to enforce it in any other instance, and the effect would be not only to reader the Crimes Act a dead hitter, but to expose it and its authors and administrators to general contempt. The contest is watched with much attention alike by the friends and foes of the Government, and the next step to he token is awaited with more than curiosity, for it cannot be doubted that if the resistance offered by the Corporation be ultimately succe&fal, tee example will bave a prejudicial effect upon the country. The local magistrates regard the situation with much concern, ana held a private meeting on Friday to consider it. Resolutions were adopt*! to the effect that, as guardians of the peace of the city, they viewed with great anxiety and alarm the state of affairs which would in all probability arise should the Lo rd Lieutenant try to enforce payment of the tax. They hoped that some arrangemeit would be made so as to remove the difficulty between the Lord Lieutenant and tee Corporation. Copies of the resolutions were forwarded to his Excellency. It is difficult to imagine how the difficulty can be arranged, since the Corporation have rejected every overture which baa been made to them for an amicable settlement, and have made no advance or suggestion of a compromise.