ENGLISH GOVERNMENT IN IRELAND.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVIII, Issue 12942, 9 October 1902, Page 6

ENGLISH GOVERNMENT IN IRELAND.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Your correspondent ".Js'ester" accuses you of ignorance on Irish affairs. For colossal ignorance in comparison to himself, his garden variety globe-trotter is a paragon of wisdom. He has not sufficient intelligence to discriminate between sedition and agitation. Apparently he knows more about an Irish faction fight than foe does about Irish -politics. He should know that neither "William O'Brien nor any of the Irish leaders is going mind preaching rebellion. It is purely <i. political situation, and they are using their voice and pen to obtain legitimate rights for the people, the right to live, and not the privilege of a miserable existence. Sure- " Nesb q r " is not so ignorant os not to know the difference between Home Rule and Separation. Ireland has been governed by coercion, a coercion for nearly every year of the union. The British House of Commons has ignominiously failed. Why not

give the Irish House of Commons a trial? Give Ireland Home Rule, and then, from •being one of the darkest she would be one of the brightest jewels in the Imperial crown. I would like to call "tester's" attention to the report of a Royal Commission appointed a few years back to enquire into the fiscal conditions of Ireland. In that report it was shown that Ireland had paid two hundred, and fifty million pounds sterling over and above her fair share of taxation, or, in plain language, she had been plundered- at the rate of two and a half millions a year. Had this vastamount been spent in buying land and settling the people upon it, something after the lines of our Now Zealand system, there would bo very little discontent in Ireland at the present time. If "Nester" feels inclined to enlighten your readers on the Irish question, I would ask him, before he starts calling the Irish rebels and assassins, to explain why the population of Ireland has decreased from eight and a half millions to less thani four and a half millions in fifty years. Surely here is food for thought for a thoughtful mind. As to his wild assertion about the unfortunate former being shot from behind the "usual stone wall," I am prepared to say there ares mors murders, outrages audi crimes committed in law-abid-ing England in one week than are committed in '"' seditious" Ireland in twelve months. He also alludeis to a " thoroughly loyal and patriotic" meeting prevented being held on July 12 last. It is very unfortunate you overlooked that. I read a report of one of these "loyal and patriotic " meetings held during the time Gladstone's Homo Rule Bill was before the Imperial Parliament. One of the speakers at that meeting said that if Home Rule was granted Ireland, they would kick the Queen's crown into the Boyne. " Nester V esteemed friend, Colonel Saunderson, was present. Of coirrse they are "thoroughly loyal and patriotic" so long as they get all the marbles and first every time.' Be-. fore '• Nester" again rushes into print on Irish affaire, I would ask him to inquire into the causes of the unrest and trouble, and suggest a remedy and bring in some arguments; and not be adding insult to injury.—l am, etc., Y.N.Z.