ULSTER AND HOME RULE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9179, 20 April 1893, Page 3

ULSTER AND HOME RULE.

TO Till-; EDITOR. SIR,I notice that very frequently a good deal of your excellent paper is taken up by articles ami letters for ami against the granting of Home Hide for Ireland. I therefore crave a little space, if yon will be so kind, for a few lines on this interesting subject. Ulster is regarded by some people as' the only spot in Ireland that should be taken into consideration, on account of its Protestantism, its wealth, its industry, its energy, its loyalty, and its love for law and order. I freely admit that the people of Ulster are industrious and■ energetic, but 1 certainly demur to the assertions that are continuously rung in our ears as to their unswerving loyalty and law-abiding qualities. It is a well-known fact that there have been more riots and disorder throughout the North of Ireland--and especially in Belfast —during our own time than in any other portion of the United Kingdom, considering its population. This is to be deplored, and will no doubt be remedied when Home Rule becomes a realisation in Ireland. But there has never been an effort made by any .English statesman to redress the grievances of the Irish people, that did not receive the wildest opposition from the Orange .Society and a certain class of bigoted Protestants. They have threatened again and again to kick the Crown of England into the Boyne, as they do now threaten to rise in rebellion should the Rome Pule Bill become law. It is quite true that the Protestants of Ulster (ail denominations combined) outnumber the Roman Catholics of that province; for by recent statistics the Protestant population of Ulster amounts to 900,000; and the Roman Catholics are set down at 800,000. Now, if we add the Protestant Home Rulers to the Roman Catholic Home Rulers, the opposition to Home Rule for Ireland is hardly worth talking about; for out of 33 Ulster representatives, 11 are Home Rulers. But some allege that on the ground of wealth Ulster is entitled to special legislation. Looking at the income tax returns published a short time ago J find the following :—Leinster pays £10 lis 9d per head, assessed on £13,272,202; Minister. £0 0s 7d per head, assessed on £7,980,270; and Ulster. £5 14s 5d per head, assessed on £9,052,289. So that Ulster only takes third place, and contributes not much more than half that of Leinster. According to rateable property returns Leinster contributes £3 13s 5d ; Munster, £2 10s lOd ; and Ulster, £2 9s lid. It is also an erroneous idea to suppose that Ulster is first iti the list regarding her educational qualifications, for official statistics state that the uereeutage of people who can read and write in Leinster is 58, while in Ulster the percentage is only 53. At all events, the clause in the Home Rule Bill, by which the Legislative Council is to be constructed will amply protect the Protestant minority. The Legislative Council will be composed of 48 representatives, who will be elected for eight years on a minimum franchise of £20, which, 1 it is generally admitted, will give the Tory Unionists and Catholic Unionists (the landlord class) a majority in the Council. The Lord Lieutenant will still represent the Crown, and the Privy Council will determine on the validity of the Bills passed by the Irish House of Representatives. Moreover, the Legislative Council will be empowered to veto any Bill that passes the Lower House, for a period of two years, or until a dissolution. Therefore, it is clear that the minority in Ireland have nothing to fear from the granting of Home Rule ; and, when once attained, the Protestants and Roman Catholics will join hearts and hands—as do the people of the colonies—in working for the interests of their common country. That being the result we all cherish, 1 cannot see why the Protestants of Ulster should feel alarmed at Ireland beinggranted Home Rule. If the Orange fraternity can frighten the Imperial Parliament by threats so as to turn the advancing tide of reform, is it not absurd on their part to tremble and gnash their teeth at the approach of Home Rule ; for if the Irish Parliament should attempt to abuse the power bestowed upon them by Protestant England, by persecuting the Ulster minority, could not Major Saunderson and his " ditch-. liners" sweep the Nationalists into the sea, as Brian Born did the Danes '! But, may 1 ask, what prevents the rest of Ireland now from persecuting Ulster ? The Tory-Unionist answers, "The -Imperial army." If so, will not the Imperial army continue to defend them, if occasion should require, when Ireland has her native Parliament once more restored to her ? But it is the raekreuting landlords (Catholic and Protestant) that see the writing on the wall! Protestants in Ulster have nothing to dread—no more than the Roman Catholics have in England and the colonies.—l am, etc. Columba.