§ MR. G. W. BALFOURI have to ask leave to introduce a Bill to amend certain provisions of the Land Law (Ireland) Act, 1896, affecting the Congested Districts Board, and to make further provision for the expenses of that Board out of money provided by Parliament. The object of the Bill is to provide for an increase of the resources of the Congested Districts Board in accordance with the proposal which has already been made. It also includes some Amendments of the Act of 1896 affecting the Congested Districts Board which experience has shown to be desirable. The Bill is quite short, and we have every reason to believe that it will he found to be non-contentious. I beg to move:
§
Motion made, and Question proposed—
That leave be given to introduce the Bill.—(Mr. G. W Balfour.)
§ MR. DAVITTI have no intention of offering any opposition to the Bill. It is a non-contentious measure of a necessary and useful character, and will not call for any searching criticism. I believe the object to be to provide greater resources and more powers for the Congested Districts Board. That is a purpose which Irish Members on both sides of the House approve, and it will therefore be our duty to assist the right hon. Gentleman in passing it as soon as possible. My object in rising is not to give the Chief Secretary that assurance, but to call his attention to the many opportunities which now present themselves in the West of Ireland for 324 the buying of land through the Congested Districts Board, with the object of enlarging the holdings of small tenants. The right hon. Gentleman is aware, I am sure, that the transactions of that character which have been carried out by this Board have given general satisfaction. It is possible—indeed I have no doubt it is true—that the price given for the Dillon Estate may have induced many landlords to become willing to sell their estates wholly or in part. That price was too high; but it is inevitable, in my judgment, that while landlordism rules the roost in Dublin Castle, and has a paramount influence on both branches of the Legislature, prices, will be too high, whether the bargain is made between the landlord and tenant or between the Congested Districts Board and the landlord. I would nevertheless urge the right hon. Gentleman to pay attention to the popular feeling in the West of Ireland on this matter. He is probably aware that Lord Sligo and Mr. Donoghue, of Newport, have already expressed willingness to sell their estates in whole or in part. The tenants on these estates have been among those who have suffered most from poverty and distress in times past, and the right hon. Gentleman has therefore a unique opportunity to acquire this land on terms which would be satisfactory all round, and give these poor people a chance of improving their position in the future. I trust that the first use the right hon. Gentleman will make of this measure will be to carry out the wishes of the people in these parts.
§ Question put, and agreed to.