The Thames Star. SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1914. IRISH LAND QUESTION.

Thames Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 14768, 14 March 1914, Page 4

The Thames Star.

SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1914. IRISH LAND QUESTION.

Our Motto: Fear of None ; Favour to None ; Justice to All.

LOOION^ KAOKWARD. mil GEOiRiGE GREyS VIEWS .IN 1868.

Fn view of the present position in connection with" the- question of Home Rula for Ireland it ia interftstingi to look itraclt some years and recall th© writing® of that grand old* mam Sir George Gery. In 1868 the Irish land 1 question wa» being fiercely discussed and in the course of a letter to t;he London Daily Ntews, published in the year named, Sir George Grey concluded as under: I would sugigeet one mode in wihieli. I believe they niig'ht most beneficially apply in part their own principles to Ireland without delay. Let tirern at once: give to tlhat country State Legislature, sitting in Dublin, composed of two elective Houses—*i Blouse of epresentatives and a; Senate, ana having the i&aine leg'sl&tive powers as a State Legislature in the United States of America. Let them leave in the British Parliament the Iri&h members &» at present, but witlhout power to speak or vote upon any such question, as the State Legislature sitting, in Dublin ia competent to legislate ~upon. In till is manner "the .Parliament of Great Britain and Ireland sitting in London, would have the power' of settltiig all Imperial questions, such, as the strength of the Army and Ntavy, /Customs' Duties, Postal Services, etc. The State Legfalattiurt'i sitting 1, in Dublin would' bavei the power of '"dealing! with all local question®, such as the Land Question, Education, etc. Miatny advantages would spring from such an. arrangement, such as Irish, members no'Tongier interfering in English domestic afiairs, and Eng r liidi members nx> longer interfering in Irish, domestic, affairs. The domestic affairs of each of the two countries would then be conducted far more with a view to the welfare of the inhabitants! of .each, than to the passions of party warfare, and' to tine desire of naaiking or pulling down 'Ministries* It ishoui" also h» remetmbered tiiat the union, of several Parliament*), in one, charged with the duty of minute special legislation upon so many points in: different countries, has thrown upon that one Fadianwmt an amount of labour which, it cannot perform. Hence it& attention is distracted from it» really important duties. E;ac!h deteitminedl party can force its own job through a distracted' and 'bewildered Assembly. ' Matter.si of the highest interest are neglected. All legislation is crude and unsatisfactory, and little or explanation can be askied or afforded regarding the expenditure of the public funds, which are often squandered at tihe caprice of the party in power for thel time, Whilst confused Ministers frequently, indeed generally, new to- their different offices, occupied witli their duties in the Oai> mot, in leading] the two houses of thd Legislature, and torn and worn ny the enormous mass of duties of eveu-y kind throtw-n opoa them in their rtv spective offices, from. the most iinpoirtamt to the most trifling, in their efforts to attend to all, are forced' to neglect all, and the Government cf tlh© country ha» Mien into the hands of irmspoaisible clerks in the different offices, who oare nothing .for ruining Minnies', or individual' statesmen, if they promote views of their own, or advance the interests of tlheir relations or friends. Hence is arisuig a disorder and an insuborddnation in the Empire guch as bas never before been seen. (iave to Ireland a State Legisilatur© ana a State Etecutive iv Dublin; geeure thereby the resuienee of its aiblest men in the country. Open a fair field as minister^, legislators, orators, to its best and wiseat men. Afford, from the same source, as would necessarily and certlainly_ be done, occupation to Irish architects, sculptors, painters, and (secure aTTesfflent. aristopraey, of wortfi, talent, and wisdom, nodi you will at the same time resitox-e the wealth, trade, and commerce! of Dublin and Ireland. Dumb Ireland iwiill then speak again. BEalf in&nimiale Ireland will again awaken, to national life, and breaithe fche breath of hope and freedom. Wliilst by again accustoming the Irisih people to 1 the management of their own affaire, [and to administrative, duties of he highest order, a willing people will be educated in that political knowledge which will enable them to put an end to the ills which afflict them, the causes, and cure o£ whicih none can understand so well rs themselves.