A ROYAL RESIDENCE IN IRELAND.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 11025, 16 September 1897, Page 2

A ROYAL RESIDENCE IN IRELAND.

A PLEA FUOM LGRD CHARLES BERESFORD. Lord Charles Beresford, writing on

;he subjuut of a proposed Royal residence n Irebud, iays that the forthcomoming risit of the Duke and Dutchess of York ;o Ireland is gratifying to Irishmen, inasmuch' as it shows* thait th*e sister wland has not been forgotten in the Jubilee festivities. At the same time, it biingi forward si matter which has of tea angagad the attention of both patriotic Irishmen and British statesmen — namely, that of a Royal residonce in Ireland. Ho continues with the following; interesting Btatoment : — " I find that during the last sixty years, the period of time our beloved and gracious Sovereign has ruled over us, Her Majesty has visited Ireland throe times as follows :— ln 1849 for thirteen days, in 1853 for seven days, and in 18G1 for eight day, altogether 28 days. Their Royal Highnesses th« Prince and Princess of Wales hare visited Ireland twice since His Royal Highness was quartered there with his regiment in the year 1861— namely, in 1871 for seven days, and in 1885 fpr twenty days, altogether twenty-seven days. Prince Albert Victor and Prince George of Wales (the present Duke of ~Xork} visited Ireland in 1887 for four days, so the total sojourn of the Royal Family in Ireland dnring the last sixty years h«3 been fifty-nine days." The period of the forthcoming vhit is not likely to be a lonj one, aud while the Duke and Duchess will go to Irelsnd with the kindliest feelings, and will probably take a delightful message from the Queen, when the functions connected with it are over, the I isn will remember that such viaits have been few and far between, and that they have never had members of the Royal Family living among them. Lord Charles • continues :— " In ray humble opinion it is impossible to overrate the harm that this apparent seglect has done to the cause of loyalty in Ireland. I am convinced tbat many misfortunes and misunderstandings would never have taken place if the Royal Family had been permitted by Governments and courtiers to make more f r -quent visits to Ireland, and to render such visits possible by the establishment of a Royal residence in that country, I know for a fact that Her Majesty has on one occasion, and I believe more, made strenuous efforts to dbtaia a Royal residence in Ireland. Her Majesty's generous wish was never fulfilled, owing to opposition on the part of her advisers, who have invariably entertained an ungenerous and Unworthy doubt of the Irish character.' 1 The Irish, he urges, have alwayt been chivalrous whan their generosity has been appealed to ( and " when the haughty ■nperiority of the conqueror was not visible," and he instances how Mr and Miss Balfour were able to travel alone in the most disturbed districts. Whilst he does not wish it to be inferred that be intonds to say one word against present or previous Viceroys, Lord Charle3 says that the rule from tho Castle i* hated bj an impulsive people, who possibly regard it as placing them on a footing of the conquered and coloured races under British dominion. " One of the first steps to bo taken to re«tora that respect and affection for the Crown which personal contact; createß, and by wbich alone iti theso democratic days the 1 hroue is maintained, is to establish a Royal residence in that country and to abolish thi Vicerugal Court aud all the present machinery of Castle government. A suitable Royal residence could not be estaolished without endownment. I would propose that a yearly Bum o E £100,000 should bo put apart in ordir to keep up the necessary state which should appiirtain to Bach a iloyal residence. The sum is almost five limes greater than the salary of the Viceroy, but certainly is not too much to pay considering the advantages which would accrue from strengthening Irish loyalty. Ireland might be represented in exactly the .«amo way that Scotland is, with a Secietary for Inland replacing the present offices of Viceroy md Chief Secretary. Until Ireland is treated as an integral part of the Unitod Kingdom in this particular, she hns a! just cause of complaint. The Vicoroyalty, the mock Court, the absence of a Royal residence, are all marks of separation." In conclusion Lord Charles Beresford says that his motives cannot be misunderstood, for he is a loyalist and an officei of the British Navy, but he is also an Irishman who understands the native sentiments and impulsive character, whichhave invariably been drivea in the wrong direction. — Home News.