not 500, persons. The police were unable to bring any persons to justice, as, owing to the darkness, no one was identified. Attacks on Irish Postmen. CAPTAIN CRAIG: I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state the number and particulars of outrages on Post Office servants reported to the police anthorities in Ireland during the year ending 28th February last, the counties in which they occurred, and in what instances the perpetrators were brought to justice. MR. BIRRELL: The police authorities inform me that during the period mentioned there were four cases of the nature referred to. They are the cases mentioned in the Questions of the hon. Member for Mid Armagh which I have now answered. In one of the cases proceedings have been instituted against fifteen persons. MR. J. MACVEAGH (Down, S.): How many Post Office servants were injured in England in the same period? [No Answer was returned.] County Down and the Labourers Act. CAPTAIN CRAIG: I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, whether the calculations in respect of the current financial year, necessary to enable him to furnish the amount of Exchequer Grant which will be available for county Down under the Labourers Act of 1906, will be completed by 1st April. MR. BIRRELL: The Local Government Board anticipate that the calculation of the amount of the Exchequer Grant available for county Down will be completed by 1st April. Mansfield Estate Dispute. MR. C. MACVEIGH (Donegal, E.): I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the attention of the Estates Commissioners has been called to the case of George Diver, a tenant on the Mansfield estate, near Killygordon, county Donegal, who has been deprived by the landlord of a portion of his holding; and whether he † See Col. 796. will direct an inspector to be sent down to inquire into the nature of the tenancy of the late John Diver, the present tenant's father, the rent that was paid by him, and the date that two separate rents were joined in one receipt, with a view to George Diver getting back the portion that has been taken away from him, before the Commissioners sanction the sale of the estate, the purchase agreements of which have been signed. MR. BIRRELL: The Estates Commissioners will have this matter inquired into by their inspector, who is about to visit the estate. Antrim and the Labourers Act. MR. CHARLES CRAIG: I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieu tenant of Ireland whether the Exchequer Grant to county Antrim, for the purposes of the Labourers Acts, of £2,400 per annum has, by the Labourers' Act of last session, been reduced to £392 per annum ; and, if so, whether the difference between these two sums will now have to be borne by the ratepayers. MR. BIRRELL: The fact is as stated. The difference between the two sums must, of course, be borne by the ratepayers, in so far as it is not met by the rents on the cottages. Against this the ratepayers have the set off given by the improved terms for loans under the new Act. Even if the entire £2,000 should fall upon the rates, they would only be affected to the extent of five-sixths of a penny in the pound. MR. KILBRIDE (Kildare, S.): Is it not the fact that the authorities in county Antrim have refused to put the Labourers Act in force ? [No Answer was returned.] Lord Clanricarde's Estate. MR. STANLEY WILSON (Yorkshire, E.R. Holderness): I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, since his accession to has been drawn to the intimidation which the office of Chief Secretary, his attention exists in and around the town of Loughrea; whether he will call for a special Report from the county inspector of Galway on the condition of the Loughrea district; and whether he will (6 MARCH 1907} lay such Report upon the Table of this House. MR. DUFFY (Galway, S.) asked whether the property around Loughrea was not owned by Lord Clanricarde, who refused to reply to the memorial forwarded to him by his tenants; whether at the last sessions several of his tenants did not appear in Court and satisfy the Judge that they paid rent ranging from two to one and a half years in the last eight months; and whether the Chief Secretary would request the county inspector to give particulars in his next Report. MR. BIRRELL: The police authorities have kept me fully informed of the condition of the Loughrea district. It would not be in accordance with practice to lay upon the Table of the House the police reports, which are made for the information of the Executive Government. The police are taking all possible measures for the preservation of the peace. In answer to the hon. Member for Galway, some of his statements are facts within common knowledge. Everyone is generally aware that this estate is Lord Clanricarde's, and that much of the disturbance and disloyalty there existing are due to the unfortunate relations between him and his, tenants. *MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member is not entitled to put a question to another hon. Member. Kenmare Rent Appeals MR BOLAND (Kerry, S.): I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the LordLieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that about a dozen tenants in the Kenmare Rural District, who had rents fixed over three years ago and then lodged appeals, were notified, about six weeks ago, that their appeals would be heard at Killarney on 26th February, and that their names appeared in the list for that sitting; whether he is aware that a second list was issued, about a fortnight ago, which did not contain their names, and that they were notified that their cases would not be heard; and whether, in view of the fact that in some of these cases sales are pending, and that, unless their appeals are heard, they will have to purchase on the basis of the old rents, he will state why their names were struck out; and when will the Commission sit again to hear these cases. MR. BIRRELL: The Land Commisme that the facts are as sion inform stated in the Question. The preliminary list contained a notice that the final list would include as many of the cases as the Judicial Commissioner considered could The be heard during the sitting. It was included in the preliminary list. found impossible to hear all the cases excluded cases will be heard at the next sitting at Killarney in July. River Feale Fishery Regulations. MR. O'SHAUGHNESSY: I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the LordLieutenant of Ireland whether, having does not commence in the River Feale, regard to the fact that the fishing season in the county of Limerick, until the 1st May, notwithstanding the fact that the river is full of spring fish, in consequence of which regulation the three best months of the year for fishing have passed by, he will take steps at an early date to introduce legislation with the view empowering a local representative body to alter this and other grievances of the kind, with the view to encouraging love of sport. to MR. BIRRELL: I am afraid that I CAPTAIN CRAIG: At whose expense? cannot add anything to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member's Question on Office exchanges have recently been this subject on 27th February.† Dublin School of Art. MR. GWYNN (Galway): I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland for what reason the appointment of a headmaster for the Dublin School of Art has been deferred for a period of two years; for what reason no successor has been appointed to the late headmistress of the same school, whose employment ceased four years ago; why, if no suitable candidates were discoverable for a permanent appointment, temporary appointments could not be made in order to give proper training to the present body of art students; and what has been done with the money saved by leaving the school for four years without a headmistress, and for two years without either headmistress or headmaster. MR. BIRRELL: The appointments in question have been suspended in view of the fact that a Committee was appointed to inquire into the Metropolitan School of Art and the Royal Hibernian Academy. The Report of the Committee has only recently been received, and its recommendations are now under consideration. While the offices have been in abeyance, temporary teachers have been appointed and paid from the sums available for the salaries of such offices. Any unexpended balance of these salaries is surrendered to the Exchequer. Irish Telephone Service. MR. J. P. FARRELL (Longford, N.): I beg to ask the Postmaster - General whether any progress has been made with the plan proposed by his predecessor in office to give a telephone service to towns on the main railway lines of Ireland; and, if not, when such arrangements are likely to be made. MR. SYDNEY BUXTON: I think the hon. Member is under a misapprehension in supposing that any general plan was proposed by my predecessor for giving a telephone service to towns on main lines of railways in Ireland. I have, however, been giving careful attention to all proposals for the extension of the telephone service in Ireland, and Post † See (4) Debates clxx., 63. opened, or are under construction, in Armagh, Castle Bellingham, Cookstown, Dungannon, Enniskillen, Killarney, Omagh, Randalstown, and Skerries (county Dublin). Extensions of the Post Office trunk line system have also been made to serve exchanges of the National Telephone Company in Cahir, Clonmel and Tralee. Drumlish Postal Arrangements. MR. J. P. FARRELL: I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he still refuses to allow the postman who brings the mid-day letters to Drumlish to remain for one hour per diem there pending the writing and despatching of replies to letters on the English mail. MR. SYDNEY BUXTON: I fear I can only repeat the Answer I gave the hon. Member in November last. The loss on the present service is already so heavy that further expenditure would not be justified under existing conditions. Glencuthane Postal Arrangements. MR. BOLAND (Kerry, S.): I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that there is only one delivery of letters in the week in the Glencuthane district, near Kilorglin, and that inconvenience is thereby caused; and will he have inquiries made with a view to establishing a delivery in this district on three days in the week. MR. SYDNEY BUXTON: I have called for a report on this subject, and on its receipt I will send the hon. Member a reply. Postal Holidays in Belfast. MR. SLOAN: I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that certain sub-offices in Ireland are allowed to close on 17th March, Bank Holiday, he will extend the privilege to Belfast. MR. SYDNEY BUXTON: On the 17th instant the usual Sunday hours will be observed at all offices in Ireland. On the 18th in places where St. Patrick's Day is kept as a business holiday post offices will be allowed to close as on other Bank Holidays, but in Belfast the day is not kept as a business holiday and the See (4) Debates, clxv., 126. usual postal facilities will necessarily have to be afforded to the public. Small Landholders (Scotland) Bill. MR. MORTON (Sutherland): I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether he can now say when the Small Landholders (Scotland) Bill will be introduced. THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Sir H. Religious Instruction in Elementary MR. PARTINGTON (Derbyshire, High Peak) I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether he is prepared to suggest a conference of representatives of the Protestant Churches in England and Wales with a view to their framing a syllabus of religious instruction for all elementary schools under their manage ment. SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN: No, Sir, I think not. The Protestant Churches in England and Wales are, of course, perfectly free to meet and take counsel together and endeavour to arrive at an understanding. But I think my hon. friend will see that it hardly comes within my province to take any initiative in the convening of such assembly. BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. to School Board Conferences," presented by Mr. Eugene Wason; supported by Mr. Cochrane, Mr. Crombie, Mr. Dalziel, Mr. Mitchell-Thomson, and Mr. Younger; to be read a second time upon Monday 18th March, and to be printed. [Bill 97.] OUTDOOR RELIEF (PENSIONERS) BILL. "To place Naval, Army, and Civil Pensioners in the same position as members of Friendly Societies, in respect of Outdoor Relief," presented by Mr. Ramsay Macdonald; supported by Mr. Arthur Henderson, Mr. Shackleton, Mr. Richards, Mr. Jenkins, and Mr. Crooks; to be read a second time upon Thursday 21st March, and to be printed. [Bill 98.] PURCHASE OF LAND (ENGLAND AND *MR. JESSE COLLINGS (Birming- MR. A. J. BALFOUR (City of London) Perhaps the Prime Minister will give the House some information with regard to the course of business in the immediate future? SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN stated that to-morrow the business would be Navy Estimates, Vote A and Votes 1 and 10. On Monday next the Civil Service Vote on Account would be taken, the vote for the Colonial Office being first. NEW BILLS. SCHOOL BOARDS CONFERENCES "To provide for expenses incurred in School Boards in Scotland in relation VOL. CLXX. [FOURTH SERIES.] 2 F a Motion made, and Question proposed, "That leave be given to bring in a Bill to provide facilities for the sale of land to occupying tenants; and to extend the system of peasant proprietary in England and Wales."-(Mr. Jesse Collings.) If they deducted the resident popula- | His own opinion, and it was backed tion, the manufacturers in the rural up by a number of admirals of this districts, the vast number of men engaged country, was that we could not carry on in and connected with sport, they would war for six months with any first class find that the residue of those actually European Power. There were abundant engaged in agriculture to be very small other arguments, economic and social, in indeed. There was nothing approaching favour of his measure. He regretted that such a minimum in any other country it was not in better hands than his own. in Europe. They might talk about our He could wish that someone more respontrade and commerce, our riches and our sible, either on his own side of the House luxuries, but he ventured to say, without or on the other side, would adopt the fear of contradiction, that no nation, policy and speak of it with an authority either now or in the past-the ancient which naturally he did not himself past-ever remained long in the front possess. He hoped at any rate that when rank after agriculture had been ruined and the Bill came up for second Reading the had decayed. But on that great industry Prime Minister would see his way to treat and the numerous rural population con- the matter, not as a Party question, but sequent upon its prosperity, must depend as a question of high politics, affecting always the fighting power, the resisting the welfare of every man, woman, and power, the physical health and permanent child in the country. If the right hon. prosperity of the nation. Under the Gentleman would do that, he was quite present conditions their Army Bills would sure that it would be supported by the fail. Another result of the operation of great bulk of Members of the House. this measure would be the gradual build- He begged to move. ing up of, and ultimately a vast addition to our food supply. We were the only nation in Europe which depended for its daily bread upon over-sea supplies. The right hon. Gentleman the Minister for War a short time ago said that we were an island fortress. That was figurative expression, but one which was true. We were a fortress of 40,000,000 of people and a fortress which was unvictualled. They all knew the ultimate fate of fortresses which were in that condition. We spent millions on our Army and Navy and optimistic persons like the right hon. Gentleman the Member for the Forest of Dean declared that the Navy would effectively protect our grainladen ships. Under that head he would suggest that the right hon. Gentleman and the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition should form themselves into a deputation, and go into the City and ask the body of underwriters whether they would insure vessels under such conditions. The reply would be that they would not insure at all, or only upon such terms as would raise the price of food in this country to famine rates. Under such conditions the working classes of this country and the poorer classes who, with their wives and families, would have to bear the brunt of suffering and starvation, would demand, and rightly demand, that peace should be made at any price, or on any conditions, no matter how humiliating. Mr. Jesse Collings. as the *MR. J. RAMSAY MACDONALD (Leicester) said it was customary when introducing a Bill under the ten minutes rule to give the House some information to the nature and scope of the measure. So far as the Labour Members were concerned they would do everything they could to solve the unemployed problem, put the people back on the land, empty the slums, and transfer population from the city to the soil from which they ought never to have been divorced. He was not quite sure whether they could support this Bill or not. If the right hon. Gentleman had told them whether under his Bill the State was going to assist by providing funds for putting the machinery of the Bill into operation they would have been in a better position either to oppose or to acquiesce in its introduction. If the Bill proposed merely to re-establish peasant pro, rietors and yeoman farmers under the same economic conditions as they occupied before they destroyed, his Party would oppose it. Any such proposal would be flying in |