IRISH LAND PURCHASE SCHEME

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12409, 26 November 1908, Page 3

IRISH LAND PURCHASE SCHEME

London, Nov. 24. Mr Birroll. Chief Secretary for Ireland, spoko for 1$ hours in "introducing a complex I/and Purchase Bill. Ho said thai; the sales completed" totalled £25.000,000, and instead of the £100,000.000 contemplated in 1903. £180,000,000 would be needed. Amid Nationalist cheers he announced thathe intended to relieve, the Irish ratepayers of prospective losses of £50,000 yearly. On the issues of stocks, he intended to issue 3 per cents^incroase intending tenant's anmial interest on advances, and reduce the bonus to 3 por cent, increase the present" limit of £12,000,000, and graduate the bonus in ordfer to' assist'.the poorer landlord *o sell. He commented on the Dudley Commission and reToarked that the possession; ""of untenanted or grass lands rnxist be obtained. They must decide between cattle and people, and -the Government asked compulsory powers. Mr Birrell explained the scone of the Consrested \ Districts Board, "-.which would consist ,of 18, whereof nine wore to.be chosen by the local a^ithorities of onch consisted district, "the country adding a finance member co_nby an administrative committee of non-elected -members. He assured- the Nationalists that if any measures wore carried- over another session he would resign unless this one. was excluded. (Nationalist cheers.) = YW/