The New Zealand Tablet. Fiat Justitia. FRIDAY, JULY 30, 1897. THE IRISH LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 13, 30 July 1897, Page 17

The New Zealand Tablet. Fiat Justitia. FRIDAY, JULY 30, 1897. THE IRISH LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS.

UDGING from the progressive legislation which has recently been initiated by the Salisbury Ministry, it would appear, that they are determined to "dish the Whigs " with a vengeance. It was only the other day that the Government introduced and carried through the House of Commons a Workmen's Compensation HiU, which was positively socialistic in its tendency and scope. And now they have promised a scheme of local government for Ireland which is fuller, freer, and established on a more popular basis, than anything ever before proposed even under a Liberal ror/imc. We may be sure that it is not without reason that these concessions to popular feeling are being made. The Government are well aware that there is a good deal of smouldering discontent and dissatisfaction amongst the people at their foreign policy in regard to the Cretan question, and they no doubt realise that unless something is done they are in great danger of losing ground throughout the country. They have accordingly seized the " psychological moment " and introduced legislation which has won a large measure of approval from all sections and parties, and which is certainly calculated to restore their prestige and to materially strengthen their position in the country. We give elsewhere the details of the proposed scheme so far as they were disclosed in Mr. Rylfour's statement to the House. He appears to be sincerely anxious to place Ireland on the same footing- as regards local government with England and Scotland, and he thinks he sees a real opportunity for such a policy, if only the mutual distrust and jealousy between Irish landowners and Irish tenants can be removed. At present the landowners are afraid that democratic local institutions would result in great extravagance, of w hich the cost would fall on them, and the tenants fear that if anything is done to lessen the pressure of the burden of rates on them, the whole of the saving would, at the expiration of the first period of fifteen years, be added to the landlord's rent. What Mr. Balkour proposes, therefore, is to relieve the landlords entirely from rural rates by paying what they now pay — i.e., half the poor rate, out of the Imperial Exchequer, and to aid the tenants by paying half the county cess out of the same source. The landlord is thus relieved of his anviety and the tenant gains an extra benefit if the rates are managed with economy and thrift. Such is the substance of Mr. Bai.kour\s scheme. It was received with a chorus of approbation from all sides of the House, from Mr. Carson and Colonel Sai'Xdcr.son' on the one side and Mr. Healy and Mr. Jlkdmoxd on the other, Mr. Dillon also indicating, though rather more guardedly, his satisfaction with the proposals. Perhaps the chief point of interest about the scheme is the question as to how it is likely to affect the agitation for Home Rule. On that point the Irish Party have taken a very clear and definite stand. At a meeting held soon after the proposals were announced a resolution was pished emphasising the fact that, while the Party were prepared to meet the new meisure in a fair and liberal spirit, the concession of Local Government had nothing whatever to do with the Home Rule demand, and neither disposed of it nor weakened it.

It was also resolved that the grant to Ireland in relief of rates is to be in no way taken as discharging any of the liability of Great Britain to Ireland which the Finance Relations Committee has shown to exist. As a matter of fact, in giving this new measure of Local Government the Government will only be doing for Ireland what they have long ago done for England and Scotland. For some years County, District and Parish Councils have been established in England and Scotland, by which local affairs are brought completely under popular control. At present in Ireland these affairs are managed, in part, by the Grand Jury, a body which consists of persons selected by the Sheriff, the Sheriff himself being generally one of the grand jurors for the previous year, who is appointed by the Lord Lieutenant. The Poor Law is administered by Boards upon which the landlord classes get half the repre sentation as ex-officios, and have, in addition, a large controlling vote in the elections by reason of their property votes. To do away with such a system is an act of bare justice, for which the Irish people may perhaps feel thankful, but which is very far indeed from satisfying the demand for Home Rule. The probability is that the effect of the new proposals on the Home Rule agitation will depend on the measure of success which attends the practical working of the scheme. If the scheme for popular local government in Ireland is not a success the result will be that Home Rule will be indefinitely postponed. If, on the other hand, it turns out a success and works smoothly, one of the strongest grounds of opposition to the Home Rule demand will be removed and the way will be effectually paved for granting complete self-government to Ireland. In the meantime the Irish Party have done well to take up a clear and well-defined position on the Home Rule question and to refrain from finally committing themselves to the new proposals until they have had an opportunity of seeing and considering those numerous vital details on which the value and effect of such a measure must very largely depend.

Wi; regret to havo to record the death of Joseph Michael Beard, which occurrod at the residence of his father, Mr. Henry Beard, York Place. The deceased was attending the Christian Brothers' School until September last, when an attack on the lungs oonflnod him to his bed. After a partial recovery he went to Arrowtown by the advice of his medical attendant, Dr. Brown. There he remained for three months the pfueat of his relative, Dr. Murphy. On its becoming apparent that he was in the last stage of consumption he returned home, and after an edifying preparation the end came on the afternoon of Wednesday the 2Nt inst. He was buried on Friday in the Southern Cemetery, the funeral being attended by a large number of friends. IIi« late class-fellows, amongst whom his gentle disposition had made him a favourite, walked behind the hearse. They presented a beautiful wreath, suitably inscribed, and, still better, they havo made arrangements for the celebration of Masses for the repose of his soul. Father Murphy, who assiduously attended the deceased duiing his long illness, read the prayers at the gr.ue.— U.l. P.

Mk. John Mauuh, a\-<jll known in Hokitika and throughout the We-it Coa^t, lias lately returned (says a West Coast correspondent) from Wottnf Australia, where ho has been cnjjn^cd in milling speculation*. He has, with his usual enterprise, successfully floated tho Record Gold Mining Company, situate between Hokitika and Greymouth. The Company have a large tract of valuable mining property, a portion of which they intend to let out to private prospecting parties to work on tribute. The property is a portion of Mr. Maher's private land. The machinery ia now all on the ground, and tho mine should, in a few weeks, be in working order. The results, so far, are highly satisfactory, and returns may be expected later on. Mr. Maher has also another valuable property situate between Ross and Hokitika, and on the same line of gold as that on Mr. Craig's property, which has turned out such rich returns. At the request of a large number of miners, this property will also be thrown open to the miners on most liberal terms, and we have no doubt that it will be very beneficial to the district. Mr. Mahcr deserves much praise for his energy and enterprise, and we wish him every success in his ventures.

DrniNU the pa^t week the following' subscriptions to tho South Dunedin Catholic Orphanage Fund have been received :— Rev. Father Ryan (Dunedin), £H ; Mrs. Hill (Winton), £2 ; Messrs. O'Coinu'll and McCornaack (Uunedin), ,C 2. Contributions towards the erection of the Orphanage will be thankfully received by tho Si^tora of Mercy, of South Uunedin, and by the Catholic clergy of

Dunedin, and will be duly acknowledged in the columns of the Tablet.

We learn from the Patca County Press that the annual social of the Catholics of Waverley took place on Wednesday, July 14, and was in every way a great success. An elaborate musical programme was rendered in a style that was greatly appreciated by the large audience that crowded the hall. After the concert an adjournment was made to the supper room where a lavish supply of good things was displayed. Before the gathering dispersed the Rev. Father Golden heartily thanked all who had taken part in the social, and expressed the hope that everyone present had thoroughly enjoyed themselves.