IRISH LAND BILL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14381, 26 November 1908, Page 7

IRISH LAND BILL

A : COMPLEX MEASURE. •.Pr«s Association-By Telegr»pli-Copyrigkt '• ' LONDON, November 24. Mr Birrell was an •hour and a-half introducing !V complex Land Purchase Bill for Ireland. ll© stated that the sales already completed under the Land Purchase Act totalled £25,000,000, while agreements were pending for an additional £52,000,000. Instead \,f £100,000,000 contemplated b v Mr Wyndham in 1903, £120,000,000 was needed. Amid Nationalist cheers the Irish Secretary announced that he intended' to relieve the Irish ratepayers of their prospective losses pf. li«lf a million yearly. Referring to the issues of stock, lie intended to issue 3 pci centsr; to increase intending tonaiits' annual interest on advances, made,/to.>rednee tlie bonus to 3 per cent., to ■increase the present limit to -£12,000,009, and to graduate the bonus Jii order to assist the poorer landlord to sell. Mr Birrcll commented on the Dudley Commifsion, and remarked that tins possession of untenanted or grass lands must be obtained. They must decide which was the better,; cattle' or people. The Government therefore asked for compulsory powers. He.'explained that the congested districts board would consist of 18 ■members,'whereof nine would be chosen by the local authorities of ca'oh congested district' in each' county. The finance would bb controlled by an administrative committee of non-elected •members. The Chief Secretary assured the Nationalists that if aaly measures were carried over to another session he would resign unless this one were 'excluded.— (Nationalist cheers,) , ' ■' ■ ■.■■.'* November 25. (Received Nov. 25, at 10.45 p.m.) There /is a .consensus of opinion that Mr Knell's' financial proposals have puzzled the Stock Exchange. The. most generous view is that the Governihen't has not made up its mind and is awaitim' some lead from, the city.. . °