CATTLE-DRIVING IN IRELAND.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9142, 18 July 1908, Page 5

CATTLE-DRIVING IN IRELAND.

CABLE NEWS.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright,

A JUDGE'S REMARKS

Received July 17, 9 a.m. LONDON, July 16. Mr Justice Ross, in the Lands Judges' Court in Dublin, said the widespread official neglect of precaution to prevent "catiie-driving" was so marked that the offenders themselves, like the sufferers, believed that "driving" had official approval. Leniency' beyond all reason had been attempted, and this was interpreted as imbecility, cowardice and connivance. The reports of officials throughout the country showed that the spirit of violence and lawlessness was increasing daily A plain remedy under statute law was in the hands of the authorities, and must be applied.

A graphic picture of the condition of affairs in the west of Ireland is supplied by "A Resident" to the London "Daily Telegraph." He writes: —"Our troubles are but in their infancy, and unless very drastic and immediate steps are taken there is no knowing to what size they may not grow. Unfartunately for those people in Ireland, who are law-abid-ing, there seems very little prospect of this being done. A" unfortunate man holds a farm of 200 to 300 acres, on which he grazes cattle, this being his means of livelihood. What happens'.' A society calling itsflf the United Irish League, a society that acknowledges no iaw3, moral or judicial, but it 3 own, proceeds to deal wivh thiJ man. A meeting bf the local branch is held, and a resolution is passed that he shall be called upon to give up his .land for subdi"ision among his poorer neighbours. As to what may become of himself not one iota does the league care, and unless he wishes to incur the displeasure of the league, and endure all the pains and penalties that will follow non-submission, he has to comply with their demunds. If he refuses to do so his life is forthwith made a hell upon earth. He is picketed, he is boycotted, he cannot get men to work fcr him, no pne will send cattle to graze on his lands, he cannot buy or sell stock, tradesmen are warned not to supply him with goods, his cattle are taken from his fields, and driven away across or scattered along the roads, and intim idation of every kind is used to compel him to give in to the orders of the league. Shots are fired into his house, and physical violence often used, until at last, in mojt cases, the wretched man, in fear of his life, ai d hounded by his tormentors, succumbs, and the league proceeds to announce triumphantly that it has scored another success."