The Irish Land Bill

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 8, 1903

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 29, No. 14.

The Irish Land Bill

The Irish land question has been a long-standing issue, and a bone of contention not only between landlord and tenant, the high-born and the low-bred, but between the British Government and the Irish people. But all people whose sympathies are with the masses as against their oppression by the classes, all who oppose the idea that the land belongs to a few favored monopolists who thereby inherit the right to control the destiny of their less fortunate neighbors, will rejoice that there is a prospect for the uplifting of the poor tillers of the soil in Ireland. The Irish land bill now before Parliament is a government proposition to loan money to the tenant class to enable individuals to purchase small holdings from the landlords. The transactions are to be under the direction of a land commission, who will regulate terms and prices; in other words, prevent impositions upon would-be purchasers. It is the first measure yet proposed which has come anywhere near a basis of settlement acceptable to both parties. While it is not exactly what either party would like to have—as no arrangement can give to people of this world all that they want—there is at least a spirit of friendliness connected with the movement such as has not characterized any effort at conciliation in the past. The tenants in some quarters object that there is no clause in the bill compelling the landlords to sell. But it is claimed on the other hand that many of them will so profit by the proposed terms that they will be glad to sell, and time and experience will bring others to see the expediency of selling at least part of their vast holdings. There is no class of people to whom the idea of owning a home, be it ever so small, is so dear as to the Irish; and it is pleasing to know that the government is disposed to open the way for the gratification of their fondest desire. And may it be so, that having achieved even a small victory in this line, the Irish mind may have sufficient rest to take a calm view of the greater importance of securing an inheritance in the everlasting kingdom.