The Star. SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 1903. IRISH REFORM.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7667, 28 March 1903, Page 4

The Star. SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 1903. IRISH REFORM.

" iivxoii iii/ruwiix. After a delay, pardonable, considering the magnitude of the task-it had undertaken, the Imperial C4overumenthas at length announced its long-promised Irish -.Land Bill. The measure is said to be both complicated txA bold. As the summary seit by cable > contains little- beyond the bate outline of the scheme it is not easy to say whether both these criticisms are justified. This 1 much is apparent, however: the Governv ' Blent is not going to allow its-slf to be •wayed by considerations of expense from making a veiy determined effort at reform. It will begin by distributing, twelve Bullions among the landlords, in the form of *a bonus to those who can be induced to v tell their estates, while, as assistance to \ the tenants, it will fmauce them to the extent of one hundred millions,*' to enable them to gradually buy their holdings. In the light of the Controversy between the adTocates of the freehold and their opponents in this country it is significant that the Government does not propose to part with the fee simple of the estates. The tenants, we are told, wifr be allowed to purchase seveneighths of their holdings, but- the remaining one-eighth will be a perpetual rent charge, for the purpose of enabling the State to control buyers and restrict subdivision. Roughly speaking, the scheme provides for practically a huge system of land settlement, differing in certain details from the system in vogue in this colony; As it will take fifteen years to complete, - Bt wiil be time enough then toi expressman ©pinion as to its results. According to the cable messages from London, it has been well received both "in England and some( parts of Ireland, amd its put hoif» hope that it will "eliminate causes of discontent, arrest ths decay of agriculture' 1 and stop emigration."/' If it"" achieves? one of these . objects it will probably achieve all, and, if all, it may perhaps have solved the Irish problem. • But ). •will it accomplish any? The question is one which time alone can answer, and beT fore it is answered a £reat deal will have to have happened. For one thing the- Bill will have to be debated, and students of Irish affairs do not neetf to be told of the months, perhaps years, of discussion this will entail. • For anotherj the irresoncilables will have to be won over to any arrangement which is calculated to postpone Home Rule, and then there is English opinion to be considered. "Careful, sincere and hopeful attempt at solution," though Mr Wyndham's scheme may be, it ia but an experiment after all, and it will ihave to survive many of the experiences incidental to experiments before it even : reaches the trial stage.