IRISH LAND QUESTION

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4290, 25 February 1901, Page 5

IRISH LAND QUESTION

SPEECHES IN PARLIAMENT. LONDON, February 22. In the House of Commons, Mr J. E. Redmond, Nationalist member for Waterford, moved an amendment to the Address-in-Rcpiy, asking for an Imperial credit for the) compulsory wholesale purchase of land n Ireland. Mr T. W. Russell, tho Umom.,t member for Tyrone, seconded the amendment in a‘violent speech, urging that a timely concession should be made lest bloodshed should ensue. Tho landowners were mere rent-chargers. The Bight Hon A. J. Balfour, leader of the House, said that compulsion would be* wild and ruinous, and bring ruin to the labourers. Tho Irish Lands Purchase Acts had successfully created 60,000 peasant proprietors. The Right Hon G. Wyndham, Chief Secretary for Ireland, said it was imnossiblc to risk 120 millions, and plunge Ireland into litigation. Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, leader of the Opposition, supnorted the amendment, which was rejected by 235 to 140. . *

Tho Irish Nationalist press reminds tho electors that their claims are only granted in response to turbulent violence and rehmal to pay rents.