THE IRISH LAND QUESTION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2516, 4 June 1902, Page 4

THE IRISH LAND QUESTION.

A PETITION TO MR SEDDON

A petition is being largely signed by Irish residents throughout the colony to the Bight Hon. Mr Seddon urging him to bring before the conference of colonial Premiers and Imperial statesmen the position of aFairs in Ireland. This petition was open for signature at the door of St. Joseph's Cathedral after the morning services yesterday. The following is a copy of the petition : —

Dunedin, May, 1902. The Bight Hon. R. J. Seddon, P.C., LL.D.,

Premier of Kew Zealand, London

Hon. Sir, — We, the undersigned Irishmen of Dunedin, being fully cognisant of the libeial and broad views you have at all tunes held, democratic views and aspirations, which we need hardly repeat have endeared you to the people of this fair and progressive country, and believing that we voice the feelings and opinions of the majority of the peoplo of Dunedin — indeed we are perhaps safe in saying that of all Kew Zealand— would respectively ask that at tue conference of Premiers in London (at which V«u will, we doubt not, take a. leading part) joii will bung Ihe subject of Ireland's discontent juonmiently before the deliberations of the s"id confeience. It being without a. doubt to the best interests of the British Empire that the Ins would be contented and loyal, tlu're is haidly a question about it but they would be if the grievances, \v>ck friend and foe admit exist, were removed.

The lind question is at the bottom of neaily ail the trouble. If the people got tho land agitation settled it would go far towards a, settlement of all other minor matters. In any country that is landlord-ridden, and in this case many of them not of the people even, we do not wonder that there is uurest, discontent, and perhap3 want of that loyalty which a free and contented people can alone give in a wholehearted manner. And we again repeat that if the Irish people and their representatives were treated with more justice and consideration no people would be more- loyal— aye, a tower of strength — to the great limpire of which they iforni an integral part.

Again, Hon. Sir, we must say that we know of no oue who is better fitted by the administration and practise of liberal laws in the country you represent as Premier, — we say that no one is better adapted to prove to the world what good land laws and compulsory sale of large esates will do for c. people than yourpelf. We believe, Hon. Sir, that by taking a. leading part ill tlie final settlement of tho Irish question you would achieve a signal act of triumph < n bshalf of still further cementing the bond? of unit/ m an important portion of the Em]>:ie --" etc.,

The Unlucky Bot is always getting his fingers burnt, his hand cut, or his Ehoulder sprained. His parents should keep a bottle of Chamberlain's Pain Balm in the house. This is a liniment of superior merit. One application givei rchef. Try it. Ail dealeis